Is Lawrence or Petaluma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lawrence is safer than Petaluma (Safety Score 59/100 vs 58/100), with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100,000 versus 1,445 for Petaluma — 0% lower. Lawrence has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Petaluma has a 100% lower rate.
Lawrence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Petaluma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lawrence, MA
Petaluma, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lawrence | Petaluma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,438.6 | 1,444.6 | -6.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 439.7 | 271.8 | +167.9 |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 0.0 | +7.8 |
| Rape Rate | 31.3 | 44.5 | -13.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.5 | 44.5 | +8.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 348.2 | 182.9 | +165.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 998.9 | 1,172.8 | -173.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 72.5 | 95.7 | -23.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.6 | 976.2 | -124.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 74.8 | 100.9 | -26.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawrence or Petaluma safer?
Lawrence is safer with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100K vs 1,445 for Petaluma — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lawrence has a violent crime rate of 439.7 per 100K while Petaluma has 271.8. Petaluma has lower violent crime.
About Lawrence, MA
Lawrence, a Merrimack Valley city, was once a thriving textile hub, home to the historic Bread and Roses Strike. Today, it is a diverse community with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 59/100 and a population coverage of 89,600, Lawrence has a total crime rate of 1,438.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Petaluma, CA
Nestled in Sonoma County, Petaluma is a historic dairy town known for its well-preserved iron-front buildings and a population of around 60,000. It straddles the Petaluma River, flowing into San Pablo Bay. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 58,493, Petaluma has a total crime rate of 1,444.6 per 100,000 residents.