Is Chelsea or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chelsea is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 30/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,415 per 100,000 versus 3,728 for Springfield — 35% lower. Chelsea has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chelsea has a 52% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 4.1x 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
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chelsea, MA
Springfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chelsea | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,414.7 | 3,728.2 | -1,313.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 978.9 | 892.7 | +86.3 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 10.9 | -5.7 |
| Rape Rate | 80.9 | 47.0 | +34.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 120.1 | 209.0 | -88.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 772.7 | 624.5 | +148.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,435.8 | 2,835.5 | -1,399.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 148.8 | 313.8 | -165.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,151.2 | 1,856.7 | -705.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 135.8 | 665.0 | -529.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chelsea or Springfield safer?
Chelsea is safer with a total crime rate of 2,415 per 100K vs 3,728 for Springfield — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chelsea has a violent crime rate of 978.9 per 100K while Springfield has 892.7. Springfield 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 Springfield, MA
Springfield, Massachusetts, a city on the Connecticut River, is the "City of Firsts," notably home to the invention of basketball. Its diverse population of over 150,000 residents reflects a rich industrial past and a vibrant present as an economic hub. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 155,491, Springfield has a total crime rate of 3,728.2 per 100,000 residents.