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Chelmsford, MA vs Lowell, MA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Chelmsford crime rate · Lowell crime rate

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Is Chelmsford, MA or Lowell, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chelmsford, MA is safer than Lowell, MA (Safety Score 65/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,250 per 100,000 versus 2,195 for Lowell, MA — 43% lower. Chelmsford has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Chelmsford has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Lowell is 3.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Chelmsford, MA?

Chelmsford — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Flat Property Flat Total

Lowell — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Chelmsford, MA

Chelmsford, MA
Safety Score 65/100
Coverage 36,795
Total Crime Rate 1,250.2
Category Wins 7/7

Lowell, MA

Lowell, MA
Safety Score 35/100
Coverage 116,062
Total Crime Rate 2,195.4
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Chelmsford Lowell Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,250.2 2,195.4 -945.2
Violent Crime Rate 122.3 532.5 -410.2
Murder Rate 0.0 4.3 -4.3
Rape Rate 16.3 6.9 +9.4
Robbery Rate 2.7 56.9 -54.2
Aggravated Assault Rate 103.3 464.4 -361.1
Property Crime Rate 1,127.9 1,662.9 -535.0
Burglary Rate 116.9 149.9 -33.1
Larceny-Theft Rate 975.7 1,309.6 -334.0
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 35.3 203.3 -168.0

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Chelmsford, MA to Lowell, MA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chelmsford or Lowell safer?

Chelmsford, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,250 per 100K vs 2,195 for Lowell, MA — a 43% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Chelmsford has a violent crime rate of 122.3 per 100K while Lowell has 532.5. Chelmsford has lower violent crime.

About Chelmsford, MA

Chelmsford, incorporated in 1655, is a suburban town northwest of Boston. It's home to a diverse population, with a notable East Asian community. With a safety score of 65/100 and a population coverage of 36,795, Chelmsford has a total crime rate of 1,250.2 per 100,000 residents.

About Lowell, MA

Lowell, a historic mill city on the Merrimack River, was a birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Its diverse population includes a significant Cambodian American community. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 116,062, Lowell has a total crime rate of 2,195.4 per 100,000 residents.

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