Moving from Manchester, NH to Portsmouth, NH?
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 Manchester, NH or Portsmouth, NH Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Portsmouth, NH is safer than Manchester, NH (Safety Score 57/100 vs 41/100), with a total crime rate of 1,476 per 100,000 versus 1,985 for Manchester, NH — 26% lower. Manchester has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portsmouth has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Manchester is 5.0x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Manchester, NH?
Manchester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portsmouth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Manchester, NH
Portsmouth, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Manchester | Portsmouth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,985.0 | 1,475.9 | +509.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 336.9 | 191.6 | +145.3 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 0.0 | +1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 52.0 | 39.2 | +12.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 58.0 | 8.7 | +49.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 224.3 | 139.3 | +85.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,648.1 | 1,284.3 | +363.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 92.7 | 30.5 | +62.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,404.8 | 1,153.7 | +251.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 150.7 | 100.1 | +50.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Manchester, NH to Portsmouth, NH?
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 Manchester or Portsmouth safer?
Portsmouth, NH is safer with a total crime rate of 1,476 per 100K vs 1,985 for Manchester, NH — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Manchester has a violent crime rate of 336.9 per 100K while Portsmouth has 191.6. Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth, a historic port city on the Piscataqua River, boasts a vibrant arts scene and charming 17th-century architecture. Its compact downtown, home to many independent businesses, makes it a walkable destination. With a safety score of 57/100 and a population coverage of 22,969, Portsmouth has a total crime rate of 1,475.9 per 100,000 residents.