Is Bedford or Nashua Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bedford is safer than Nashua (Safety Score 79/100 vs 59/100), with a total crime rate of 871 per 100,000 versus 1,424 for Nashua — 39% lower. Bedford has lower rates in 6 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bedford has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Nashua is 3.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bedford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Nashua — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bedford, NH
Nashua, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bedford | Nashua | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 870.6 | 1,424.1 | -553.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 8.4 | 162.8 | -154.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 53.9 | -53.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 14.3 | -14.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 8.4 | 92.4 | -84.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 862.2 | 1,261.3 | -399.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 4.2 | 33.0 | -28.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 820.3 | 1,141.4 | -321.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 37.7 | 86.9 | -49.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bedford or Nashua safer?
Bedford is safer with a total crime rate of 871 per 100K vs 1,424 for Nashua — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bedford has a violent crime rate of 8.4 per 100K while Nashua has 162.8. Bedford has lower violent crime.
About Bedford, NH
Bedford, NH, a town of over 23,000 residents, boasts a history tied to agriculture, with farms still dotting its landscape. Situated along the Merrimack River, it offers a mix of suburban living and natural beauty. With a safety score of 79/100 and a population coverage of 23,893, Bedford has a total crime rate of 870.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Nashua, NH
Nashua, once the "Spindletree City" for its textile mills, sits on the Merrimack River near the Massachusetts border. This southern New Hampshire city is the second most populous in the state. With a safety score of 59/100 and a population coverage of 90,938, Nashua has a total crime rate of 1,424.1 per 100,000 residents.