Is Norwood or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Norwood is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 79/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 880 per 100,000 versus 3,728 for Springfield — 76% lower. Norwood has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Norwood has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 4.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Norwood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Norwood, MA
Springfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Norwood | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 880.0 | 3,728.2 | -2,848.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 167.2 | 892.7 | -725.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 10.9 | -10.9 |
| Rape Rate | 3.2 | 47.0 | -43.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.5 | 209.0 | -199.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 154.6 | 624.5 | -469.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 712.8 | 2,835.5 | -2,122.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 53.6 | 313.8 | -260.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 545.7 | 1,856.7 | -1,311.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 113.6 | 665.0 | -551.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norwood or Springfield safer?
Norwood is safer with a total crime rate of 880 per 100K vs 3,728 for Springfield — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Norwood has a violent crime rate of 167.2 per 100K while Springfield has 892.7. Norwood has lower violent crime.
About Norwood, MA
Norwood, a Middlesex County town, is home to the historic Norwood Theatre. This suburban community, once a hub for printing, lies just southwest of Boston. With a safety score of 79/100 and a population coverage of 31,704, Norwood has a total crime rate of 880.0 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.