Is Chelsea or Philadelphia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chelsea is safer than Philadelphia (Safety Score 30/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,415 per 100,000 versus 5,458 for Philadelphia — 56% lower. Chelsea has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chelsea has a 69% lower rate.
Note: Philadelphia is 40.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chelsea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Philadelphia — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chelsea, MA
Philadelphia, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chelsea | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,414.7 | 5,458.5 | -3,043.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 978.9 | 910.3 | +68.6 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 16.9 | -11.7 |
| Rape Rate | 80.9 | 46.1 | +34.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 120.1 | 273.2 | -153.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 772.7 | 572.5 | +200.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,435.8 | 4,548.2 | -3,112.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 148.8 | 319.0 | -170.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,151.2 | 3,223.6 | -2,072.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 135.8 | 1,005.6 | -869.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chelsea or Philadelphia safer?
Chelsea is safer with a total crime rate of 2,415 per 100K vs 5,458 for Philadelphia — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chelsea has a violent crime rate of 978.9 per 100K while Philadelphia has 910.3. Philadelphia has lower violent crime.
About Chelsea, MA
Chelsea, a dense urban gateway city across the Mystic River from Boston, boasts a rich immigrant history. Settled in 1624, it was once home to a vibrant industrial port and is now Massachusetts' smallest city by land area. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 38,307, Chelsea has a total crime rate of 2,414.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, is Pennsylvania's largest city. Situated along the Delaware River, its diverse population contributes to a rich urban tapestry. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,549,259, Philadelphia has a total crime rate of 5,458.5 per 100,000 residents.