Is Nashua or Rochester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rochester is safer than Nashua (Safety Score 66/100 vs 59/100), with a total crime rate of 1,221 per 100,000 versus 1,424 for Nashua — 14% lower. Nashua has higher rates in 1 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Rochester has a 53% lower rate.
Note: Nashua is 2.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Nashua — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Rochester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Nashua, NH
Rochester, NH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Nashua | Rochester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,424.1 | 1,220.8 | +203.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 162.8 | 76.9 | +85.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 53.9 | 35.5 | +18.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 14.3 | 11.8 | +2.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 92.4 | 29.6 | +62.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,261.3 | 1,143.9 | +117.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 33.0 | 59.1 | -26.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,141.4 | 999.1 | +142.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 86.9 | 85.7 | +1.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nashua or Rochester safer?
Rochester is safer with a total crime rate of 1,221 per 100K vs 1,424 for Nashua — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Nashua has a violent crime rate of 162.8 per 100K while Rochester has 76.9. Rochester has lower violent crime.
About Nashua, NH
Nashua, once the "Spindletree City" for its textile mills, sits on the Merrimack River near the Massachusetts border. This southern New Hampshire city is the second most populous in the state. With a safety score of 59/100 and a population coverage of 90,938, Nashua has a total crime rate of 1,424.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Rochester, NH
Rochester, once a major shoemaking hub, sits along the Cocheco River in Strafford County. This small city in southeastern New Hampshire is home to over 32,000 residents. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 33,831, Rochester has a total crime rate of 1,220.8 per 100,000 residents.