Is Gloucester or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gloucester is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 80/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 830 per 100,000 versus 3,728 for Springfield — 78% lower. Gloucester has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gloucester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 5.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gloucester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gloucester, MA
Springfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gloucester | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 830.1 | 3,728.2 | -2,898.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 277.8 | 892.7 | -614.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 10.9 | -10.9 |
| Rape Rate | 36.0 | 47.0 | -11.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 3.3 | 209.0 | -205.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 238.6 | 624.5 | -385.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 552.3 | 2,835.5 | -2,283.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 98.0 | 313.8 | -215.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 415.1 | 1,856.7 | -1,441.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 39.2 | 665.0 | -625.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gloucester or Springfield safer?
Gloucester is safer with a total crime rate of 830 per 100K vs 3,728 for Springfield — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gloucester has a violent crime rate of 277.8 per 100K while Springfield has 892.7. Gloucester has lower violent crime.
About Gloucester, MA
Gloucester, Massachusetts, a historic fishing port on Cape Ann, is home to the iconic "Man at the Wheel" statue. This city of roughly 30,000 residents boasts a significant Portuguese-American population. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 30,599, Gloucester has a total crime rate of 830.1 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.