Is Lawrence or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lawrence is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 59/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100,000 versus 3,728 for Springfield — 61% lower. Lawrence has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lawrence has a 75% lower rate.
Lawrence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lawrence, MA
Springfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lawrence | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,438.6 | 3,728.2 | -2,289.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 439.7 | 892.7 | -452.9 |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 10.9 | -3.1 |
| Rape Rate | 31.3 | 47.0 | -15.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.5 | 209.0 | -156.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 348.2 | 624.5 | -276.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 998.9 | 2,835.5 | -1,836.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 72.5 | 313.8 | -241.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.6 | 1,856.7 | -1,005.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 74.8 | 665.0 | -590.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawrence or Springfield safer?
Lawrence is safer with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100K vs 3,728 for Springfield — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lawrence has a violent crime rate of 439.7 per 100K while Springfield has 892.7. Lawrence 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 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.