Is Manchester or Pelham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pelham is safer than Manchester (Safety Score 91/100 vs 41/100), with a total crime rate of 541 per 100,000 versus 1,985 for Manchester — 73% lower. Manchester has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pelham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Manchester is 7.9x 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
Pelham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Manchester, NH
Pelham, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Manchester | Pelham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,985.0 | 540.9 | +1,444.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 336.9 | 34.2 | +302.7 |
| 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 | 34.2 | +190.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,648.1 | 506.6 | +1,141.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 92.7 | 47.9 | +44.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,404.8 | 410.8 | +994.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.7 | 47.9 | +102.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manchester or Pelham safer?
Pelham is safer with a total crime rate of 541 per 100K vs 1,985 for Manchester — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Manchester has a violent crime rate of 336.9 per 100K while Pelham has 34.2. Pelham 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 Pelham, NH
Pelham, NH, a town established in 1746, sits along the Massachusetts border. Primarily a residential community, its population was 14,213 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 91/100 and a population coverage of 14,606, Pelham has a total crime rate of 540.9 per 100,000 residents.