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Lowell, MA vs Melrose, MA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Lowell crime rate · Melrose crime rate

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Is Lowell, MA or Melrose, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Melrose, MA is safer than Lowell, MA (Safety Score 92/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 530 per 100,000 versus 2,195 for Lowell, MA — 76% lower. Lowell has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Melrose has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Lowell is 3.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Lowell, MA?

Lowell — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Melrose — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Lowell, MA

Lowell, MA
Safety Score 35/100
Coverage 116,062
Total Crime Rate 2,195.4
Category Wins 0/7

Melrose, MA

Melrose, MA
Safety Score 92/100
Coverage 29,784
Total Crime Rate 530.5
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Lowell Melrose Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,195.4 530.5 +1,664.9
Violent Crime Rate 532.5 100.7 +431.7
Murder Rate 4.3 0.0 +4.3
Rape Rate 6.9 0.0 +6.9
Robbery Rate 56.9 13.4 +43.4
Aggravated Assault Rate 464.4 87.3 +377.1
Property Crime Rate 1,662.9 429.8 +1,233.1
Burglary Rate 149.9 40.3 +109.6
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,309.6 335.8 +973.9
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 203.3 53.7 +149.6

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Lowell, MA to Melrose, MA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lowell or Melrose safer?

Melrose, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 530 per 100K vs 2,195 for Lowell, MA — a 76% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Lowell has a violent crime rate of 532.5 per 100K while Melrose has 100.7. Melrose has lower violent crime.

About Lowell, MA

Lowell, a historic mill city on the Merrimack River, was a birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Its diverse population includes a significant Cambodian American community. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 116,062, Lowell has a total crime rate of 2,195.4 per 100,000 residents.

About Melrose, MA

Melrose is a small, affluent city north of Boston, known for its Victorian architecture. Bordered by the Middlesex Fells Reservation, it offers a suburban feel with easy access to urban amenities. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 29,784, Melrose has a total crime rate of 530.5 per 100,000 residents.

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