What are the most dangerous cities to live in Massachusetts? Thankfully we have websites that keep tabs on these types of statistics for us so we can determine where we may want to live in the future. Or, we can decide if we want to move immediately. Travelsafe-abroad.com has put together a ranking of the most dangerous cities in Massachusetts and some of these cities may surprise you. Before we run down the entire list, let’s take a look at what factors they’re considering.

They take into account the population of each city and the number of crimes committed in each one. That will tell you the odds of you being the victim of a crime in each city. When they mention crimes, they mention crimes like rape, murder, and robbery. In some cities, property crime may be more prevalent than actual violence person to person. Regardless, a crime is a crime and you may want to reconsider living in one of these cities or if one of these cities was on your radar of places to move, you may want to give it a second thought.

Now on the opposite end of the spectrum, Travelsafe-abroad also took a look at the safest cities in Massachusetts. Wayland is listed as the #1 safest city in the state. With a population of 14,000, there are no reported burglaries, property crimes, or murders so far this year in Wayland. Clinton and Hopkinton are right behind. Overall Massachusetts as a state is behind the national average for crime. Violent crime in Massachusetts is at 3.1 for every 1,000 people, the country’s average is 4.

Now, let’s take a look at which cities in Massachusetts are considered the most dangerous. You may agree, you may disagree. But these are based on statistics. If you live in one of these cities, let us know your experiences living there.

• #10 New Bedford

  Very recently, there were 1,000 crimes in 12 calendar months in this southeastern city. The most popular crimes committed include robbery, rape and aggravated assault.

  New Bedford Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout

  Most accurate 2021 crime rates for New Bedford, MA. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in New Bedford is 1 in 159 and property crime is 1 in 64. Compare New Bedford crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

• #9 Worcester

  Home of the Coney Island Hot Dog and the Woo Sox, this city is massive with 200,000 residents. This means more crimes are committed. In one year, there were over 1,800 criminal events. Many of which were assaults. 

  Worcester, MA Crime Rates

  Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Worcester, MA. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Worcester is 1 in 160 and property crime is 1 in 57. Compare Worcester crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

• #8 Brockton

  Another massive city, Brockton is south of Boston. In one recent calendar year there were 934 crimes reported. Many of which were assault, rape and murder. 

  Brockton, 02301 Crime Rates and Crime Statistics - NeighborhoodScout

  Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Brockton, MA. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Brockton is 1 in 147 and property crime is 1 in 55. Compare Brockton crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

• #7 Fall River

  Also located in southeastern MA, Fall River has almost 94,000 residents. In one recent calendar year, there were 1,000 crimes reported. Over half of those were assault.

  Fall River, MA Crime Rates

  Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Fall River, MA. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Fall River is 1 in 100 and property crime is 1 in 81. Compare Fall River crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

   

• #6 Chelsea

  Chelsea is the most densely populated city in the state. Chelsea is only 3 miles around and in one calendar year over 250 assaults were reported.

  Chelsea, MA Crime Rates

  Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Chelsea, MA. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Chelsea is 1 in 123 and property crime is 1 in 55. Compare Chelsea crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

• #5 Chicopee

  Located in central/western MA, this city near Springfield  is the second most populated city in the western half of Massachusetts. It has 55,000 people and its  homicide rate is alarmingly high. 

  Chicopee Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout

  Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Chicopee, MA. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Chicopee is 1 in 183 and property crime is 1 in 53. Compare Chicopee crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

• #4 Springfield

  Home of the Basketball Hall of Fame and the MGM Springfield casino, this city has crime rate is 56 out of 1,000.  Many crimes here involve property. 

  Springfield, MA Crime Rates

  Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Springfield, MA. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Springfield is 1 in 115 and property crime is 1 in 42. Compare Springfield crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

• #3 Boston

  Boston boasts 700,000 residents. Of course that will mean a higher crime rate. For every 1,000 people, 37 are involved in some sort of crime.

  Boston, MA Crime Rates

  Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Boston, MA. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Boston is 1 in 152 and property crime is 1 in 51. Compare Boston crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

• #2 North Adams

  A city many of you have probably never even heard of, nevermind been to. It has a population of 14,000. However, in one calendar year 300 crimes were committed.

  North Adams, MA Crime Rates

  Most accurate 2021 crime rates for North Adams, MA. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in North Adams is 1 in 98 and property crime is 1 in 41. Compare North Adams crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

• #1 Holyoke

  Holyoke is in the western part of the state.  If you live there, you have a 1 in 15 chance of being involved in a crime.

  Holyoke, MA Crime Rates

  Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Holyoke, MA. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Holyoke is 1 in 104 and property crime is 1 in 27. Compare Holyoke crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout.

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