Is Springfield or Waltham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waltham is safer than Springfield (Safety Score 76/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 951 per 100,000 versus 3,728 for Springfield — 74% lower. Springfield has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Waltham has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Springfield is 2.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Waltham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Springfield, MA
Waltham, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Springfield | Waltham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,728.2 | 951.3 | +2,776.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 892.7 | 252.0 | +640.7 |
| Murder Rate | 10.9 | 1.5 | +9.4 |
| Rape Rate | 47.0 | 18.3 | +28.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.0 | 22.9 | +186.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 624.5 | 209.2 | +415.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,835.5 | 699.4 | +2,136.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 313.8 | 125.2 | +188.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,856.7 | 519.2 | +1,337.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 665.0 | 55.0 | +610.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Springfield or Waltham safer?
Waltham is safer with a total crime rate of 951 per 100K vs 3,728 for Springfield — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Springfield has a violent crime rate of 892.7 per 100K while Waltham has 252.0. Waltham has lower violent crime.
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.
About Waltham, MA
Waltham, "Watch City," is a historic industrial suburb of Boston along the Charles River. Home to Brandeis University, its diverse population includes a significant immigrant community. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 65,488, Waltham has a total crime rate of 951.3 per 100,000 residents.