Is Exeter or Manchester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Exeter is safer than Manchester (Safety Score 89/100 vs 41/100), with a total crime rate of 580 per 100,000 versus 1,985 for Manchester — 71% lower. Exeter has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Exeter has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Manchester is 7.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Exeter — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Manchester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Exeter, NH
Manchester, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Exeter | Manchester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 580.1 | 1,985.0 | -1,404.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 37.0 | 336.9 | -299.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 1.7 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 30.9 | 52.0 | -21.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 58.0 | -58.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 6.2 | 224.3 | -218.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 543.1 | 1,648.1 | -1,105.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 24.7 | 92.7 | -68.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 462.9 | 1,404.8 | -941.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 55.6 | 150.7 | -95.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Exeter or Manchester safer?
Exeter is safer with a total crime rate of 580 per 100K vs 1,985 for Manchester — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Exeter has a violent crime rate of 37.0 per 100K while Manchester has 336.9. Exeter has lower violent crime.
About Exeter, NH
Exeter, NH is a historic New England town, home to Phillips Exeter Academy since 1781. Situated along the Squamscott River, it's a predominantly white community with a median age in the early 40s. With a safety score of 89/100 and a population coverage of 16,203, Exeter has a total crime rate of 580.1 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.