Is Manchester or Merrimack Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Merrimack is safer than Manchester (Safety Score 97/100 vs 41/100), with a total crime rate of 344 per 100,000 versus 1,985 for Manchester — 83% lower. Manchester has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Merrimack has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Manchester 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.
Manchester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Merrimack — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Manchester, NH
Merrimack, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Manchester | Merrimack | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,985.0 | 344.0 | +1,641.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 336.9 | 0.0 | +336.9 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 0.0 | +1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 52.0 | 0.0 | +52.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 58.0 | 0.0 | +58.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 224.3 | 0.0 | +224.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,648.1 | 344.0 | +1,304.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 92.7 | 13.5 | +79.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,404.8 | 313.7 | +1,091.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.7 | 16.9 | +133.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manchester or Merrimack safer?
Merrimack is safer with a total crime rate of 344 per 100K vs 1,985 for Manchester — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Manchester has a violent crime rate of 336.9 per 100K while Merrimack has 0.0. Merrimack has lower violent crime.
About Manchester, NH
Manchester, once a mill town powered by the Merrimack River, is New Hampshire's largest city. Its historic Amoskeag Millyard now houses businesses and a university, reflecting a shift towards a service-based economy. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 115,464, Manchester has a total crime rate of 1,985.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Merrimack, NH
Merrimack, a town bisected by the Merrimack River, was once home to the historic Reeds Ferry lumber industry. Today, it's a suburban community in Hillsborough County with a population of about 27,000. With a safety score of 97/100 and a population coverage of 29,650, Merrimack has a total crime rate of 344.0 per 100,000 residents.