Is Keene or Manchester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Manchester is safer than Keene (Safety Score 41/100 vs 31/100), with a total crime rate of 1,985 per 100,000 versus 2,352 for Keene — 16% lower. Keene has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Keene has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Manchester is 5.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Keene — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Manchester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Keene, NH
Manchester, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Keene | Manchester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,352.0 | 1,985.0 | +367.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 179.2 | 336.9 | -157.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 1.7 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 83.1 | 52.0 | +31.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 26.2 | 58.0 | -31.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 70.0 | 224.3 | -154.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,172.8 | 1,648.1 | +524.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 87.4 | 92.7 | -5.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,993.5 | 1,404.8 | +588.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 91.8 | 150.7 | -58.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keene or Manchester safer?
Manchester is safer with a total crime rate of 1,985 per 100K vs 2,352 for Keene — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Keene has a violent crime rate of 179.2 per 100K while Manchester has 336.9. Keene has lower violent crime.
About Keene, NH
Keene, NH, a Monadnock Region city, is known for its annual Pumpkin Festival. Its population of roughly 23,000 residents is primarily of European descent. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 22,874, Keene has a total crime rate of 2,352.0 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.