Moving from Lowell, MA to Reading, 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.
Is Lowell, MA or Reading, MA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Reading, MA is safer than Lowell, MA (Safety Score 90/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 572 per 100,000 versus 2,195 for Lowell, MA — 74% lower. Lowell has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Reading has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Lowell is 4.5x 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
Violent
Property
Total
Reading — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lowell, MA
Reading, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lowell | Reading | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,195.4 | 572.1 | +1,623.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 532.5 | 38.7 | +493.8 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 0.0 | +4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 6.9 | 15.5 | -8.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 56.9 | 0.0 | +56.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 464.4 | 23.2 | +441.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,662.9 | 533.4 | +1,129.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 149.9 | 77.3 | +72.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,309.6 | 436.8 | +872.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 203.3 | 19.3 | +184.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Lowell, MA to Reading, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lowell or Reading safer?
Reading, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 572 per 100K vs 2,195 for Lowell, MA — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lowell has a violent crime rate of 532.5 per 100K while Reading has 38.7. Reading 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 Reading, MA
Reading, a Middlesex County town north of Boston, boasts a rich history, including the Parker Tavern, one of the oldest buildings in the US. With a population exceeding 25,000, it's a commuter-friendly community. With a safety score of 90/100 and a population coverage of 25,871, Reading has a total crime rate of 572.1 per 100,000 residents.