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Salem, MA vs Springfield, MA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Salem crime rate · Springfield crime rate

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Is Salem, MA or Springfield, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Salem, MA is safer than Springfield, MA (Safety Score 50/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100,000 versus 3,728 for Springfield, MA — 54% lower. Salem has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Salem has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Springfield is 3.4x 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 SAFER than Salem, MA?

Salem — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Springfield — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Salem, MA

Salem, MA
Safety Score 50/100
Coverage 45,955
Total Crime Rate 1,706.0
Category Wins 7/7

Springfield, MA

Springfield, MA
Safety Score 11/100
Coverage 155,491
Total Crime Rate 3,728.2
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Salem Springfield Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,706.0 3,728.2 -2,022.2
Violent Crime Rate 152.3 892.7 -740.3
Murder Rate 0.0 10.9 -10.9
Rape Rate 13.1 47.0 -33.9
Robbery Rate 34.8 209.0 -174.2
Aggravated Assault Rate 104.5 624.5 -520.0
Property Crime Rate 1,553.7 2,835.5 -1,281.8
Burglary Rate 106.6 313.8 -207.2
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,347.0 1,856.7 -509.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 100.1 665.0 -564.9

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Salem, MA to Springfield, MA?

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Salem or Springfield safer?

Salem, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100K vs 3,728 for Springfield, MA — a 54% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Salem has a violent crime rate of 152.3 per 100K while Springfield has 892.7. Salem has lower violent crime.

About Salem, MA

Salem, Massachusetts, renowned for the 1692 witch trials, is a small coastal city north of Boston. Its population is approximately 45,000, with a significant portion employed in tourism and education. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 45,955, Salem has a total crime rate of 1,706.0 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.

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