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Lowell, MA vs Northampton, MA Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Lowell crime rate · Northampton crime rate

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Is Lowell, MA or Northampton, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Northampton, MA is safer than Lowell, MA (Safety Score 49/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 1,717 per 100,000 versus 2,195 for Lowell, MA — 22% lower. Lowell has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Northampton has a 77% 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

Northampton — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Lowell, MA

Lowell, MA
Safety Score 35/100
Coverage 116,062
Total Crime Rate 2,195.4
Category Wins 1/7

Northampton, MA

Northampton, MA
Safety Score 49/100
Coverage 30,108
Total Crime Rate 1,717.2
Category Wins 6/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Lowell Northampton Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,195.4 1,717.2 +478.2
Violent Crime Rate 532.5 445.1 +87.4
Murder Rate 4.3 3.3 +1.0
Rape Rate 6.9 63.1 -56.2
Robbery Rate 56.9 13.3 +43.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 464.4 365.4 +99.1
Property Crime Rate 1,662.9 1,272.1 +390.8
Burglary Rate 149.9 162.8 -12.8
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,309.6 1,069.5 +240.2
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 203.3 39.9 +163.5

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

Moving from Lowell, MA to Northampton, 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 Northampton safer?

Northampton, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,717 per 100K vs 2,195 for Lowell, MA — a 22% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Lowell has a violent crime rate of 532.5 per 100K while Northampton has 445.1. Northampton 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 Northampton, MA

Nestled in the Pioneer Valley, Northampton, MA, a vibrant college town home to Smith College, boasts a progressive culture and a high proportion of residents with advanced degrees. Its historic downtown is a hub for independent businesses and the arts. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 30,108, Northampton has a total crime rate of 1,717.2 per 100,000 residents.

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