Is Melrose or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Melrose is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 91/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 530 per 100,000 versus 3,728 for Springfield — 86% 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: Springfield is 5.2x 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
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Melrose, MA
Springfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Melrose | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 530.5 | 3,728.2 | -3,197.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 100.7 | 892.7 | -791.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 10.9 | -10.9 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 47.0 | -47.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.4 | 209.0 | -195.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 87.3 | 624.5 | -537.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 429.8 | 2,835.5 | -2,405.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 40.3 | 313.8 | -273.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 335.8 | 1,856.7 | -1,521.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.7 | 665.0 | -611.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Melrose or Springfield safer?
Melrose is safer with a total crime rate of 530 per 100K vs 3,728 for Springfield — a 86% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Melrose has a violent crime rate of 100.7 per 100K while Springfield has 892.7. 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 Springfield, MA
Springfield, Massachusetts, a city on the Connecticut River, is the "City of Firsts," notably home to the invention of basketball. Its diverse population of over 150,000 residents reflects a rich industrial past and a vibrant present as an economic hub. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 155,491, Springfield has a total crime rate of 3,728.2 per 100,000 residents.