Is Durham or Manchester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Durham is safer than Manchester (Safety Score 98/100 vs 41/100), with a total crime rate of 265 per 100,000 versus 1,985 for Manchester — 87% lower. Durham has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Durham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Manchester is 7.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Durham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Manchester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Durham, NH
Manchester, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Durham | Manchester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 265.0 | 1,985.0 | -1,720.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 40.8 | 336.9 | -296.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.8 | 1.7 | +5.1 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 52.0 | -18.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 58.0 | -58.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 0.0 | 224.3 | -224.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 224.2 | 1,648.1 | -1,423.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 0.0 | 92.7 | -92.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 210.6 | 1,404.8 | -1,194.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 13.6 | 150.7 | -137.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham or Manchester safer?
Durham is safer with a total crime rate of 265 per 100K vs 1,985 for Manchester — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Durham has a violent crime rate of 40.8 per 100K while Manchester has 336.9. Durham has lower violent crime.
About Durham, NH
Durham, NH, home to the University of New Hampshire, is a small New England town on the Oyster River. It boasts a population of around 16,000, significantly augmented by its student body. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 14,718, Durham has a total crime rate of 265.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Manchester, NH
Manchester, once a mill town powered by the Merrimack River, is New Hampshire's largest city. Its historic Amoskeag Millyard now houses businesses and a university, reflecting a shift towards a service-based economy. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 115,464, Manchester has a total crime rate of 1,985.0 per 100,000 residents.