Is Melrose or Philadelphia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Melrose is safer than Philadelphia (Safety Score 91/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 530 per 100,000 versus 5,458 for Philadelphia — 90% lower. Melrose has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Melrose has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Philadelphia is 52.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Melrose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Philadelphia — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Melrose, MA
Philadelphia, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Melrose | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 530.5 | 5,458.5 | -4,928.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 100.7 | 910.3 | -809.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 16.9 | -16.9 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 46.1 | -46.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.4 | 273.2 | -259.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 87.3 | 572.5 | -485.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 429.8 | 4,548.2 | -4,118.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 40.3 | 319.0 | -278.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 335.8 | 3,223.6 | -2,887.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.7 | 1,005.6 | -951.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Melrose or Philadelphia safer?
Melrose is safer with a total crime rate of 530 per 100K vs 5,458 for Philadelphia — a 90% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Melrose has a violent crime rate of 100.7 per 100K while Philadelphia has 910.3. Melrose has lower violent crime.
About Melrose, MA
Melrose is a small, affluent city north of Boston, known for its Victorian architecture. Bordered by the Middlesex Fells Reservation, it offers a suburban feel with easy access to urban amenities. With a safety score of 91/100 and a population coverage of 29,784, Melrose has a total crime rate of 530.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, is Pennsylvania's largest city. Situated along the Delaware River, its diverse population contributes to a rich urban tapestry. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,549,259, Philadelphia has a total crime rate of 5,458.5 per 100,000 residents.