Is Spencer or Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Spencer is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 96/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 363 per 100,000 versus 3,728 for Springfield — 90% lower. Spencer has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Spencer has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 12.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Spencer — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Spencer, MA
Springfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Spencer | Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 362.7 | 3,728.2 | -3,365.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 82.4 | 892.7 | -810.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 10.9 | -10.9 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 47.0 | -47.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 209.0 | -209.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 82.4 | 624.5 | -542.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 280.3 | 2,835.5 | -2,555.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 24.7 | 313.8 | -289.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 181.4 | 1,856.7 | -1,675.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 74.2 | 665.0 | -590.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spencer or Springfield safer?
Spencer is safer with a total crime rate of 363 per 100K vs 3,728 for Springfield — a 90% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Spencer has a violent crime rate of 82.4 per 100K while Springfield has 892.7. Spencer has lower violent crime.
About Spencer, MA
Spencer, a central Massachusetts town, is home to the historic Howe family, inventors of the sewing machine. Situated on the Seven Hills, it features a diverse population of just over 11,000 residents. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 12,130, Spencer has a total crime rate of 362.7 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.