10 Most Dangerous Cities in Massachusetts
- Holyoke
- Springfield
- North Adams
- New Bedford
- Chicopee
- Boston
- Chelsea
- Fall River
- Webster
- Haverhill
1. Holyoke
The most dangerous city in Massachusetts is Holyoke, which has a crime rate that is 195% higher than the state average. Holyoke is located near East Mountain and has a population of 38,238. The city’s total crime rate is 4,020 per 100,000, with residents having a 1 in 25 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime. In 2023, total violent crime was 367 incidents, with two murders, 63 robberies, and 285 assaults. Property crime was much higher, with 1,301 incidents in 2023.
2. Springfield
Springfield is also one of the most dangerous cities in Massachusetts. Springfield is located in Hampden County and has a population of 155,929. With a crime rate that is 150% higher than the state average, Springfield is the most dangerous city in Massachusetts. The total crime rate is 3,403 per 100,000, with residents having a 1 in 30 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime. Crimes like robbery, assault, and burglaries are the most common types of crime in Springfield.
3. North Adams
North Adams is another one of the worst cities in Massachusetts due to its high crime rate. This dangerous small city is located in Berkshire County. It has a population of 12,961, and the total crime rate in North Adams is 3,114 per 100,000. Residents of North Adams have a 1 in 33 chance of becoming the victim of a crime. In 2023, there were 141 violent crimes and 309 property crimes. Common crimes include assault, burglary, and theft.
4. New Bedford
New Bedford is another one of the most dangerous cities in Massachusetts. Located along Massachusetts’ South Coast, New Bedford has a population of 102,882. The total crime rate in New Bedford is 3,089 per 100,000, which is 129% higher than the Massachusetts average. Residents have a 1 in 33 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime. In 2023, there were four murders, 86 robberies, and 476 assaults. New Bedford has a high property crime rate, with over 1,200 incidents of theft in 2023.
5. Chicopee
Chicopee is another one of the worst cities in Massachusetts for crime. It is located in Hampden County along the Connecticut River and has a population of 55,560. The total crime rate in Chicopee is 2,626 per 100,000, which is 93% higher than the state average and 12% higher than the US average. Residents have a 1 in 39 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime. Crimes like robbery, assault, and vehicle theft are the most common.
6. Boston
Boston is well known as the cultural and economic capital of MA, but it’s also one of the state’s most dangerous cities. Boston has a population of 675,647, and as far as large cities go, Boston is actually quite safe, and crime is mostly neighborhood-dependent. In total, the crime rate in Boston is 2,366 per 100,000 people making it 74% higher than the state average, with residents having a 1 in 43 chance of becoming a victim. In 2021, there were almost 4,000 violent crimes and over 12,000 property crimes in Boston. Adjusted for the city’s overall population, Boston is only a somewhat dangerous city.
7. Chelsea
Chelsea is also one of the worst cities in Massachusetts for crime. This city is located in Suffolk County, directly adjacent to Boston, and has a population of 40,787. The total crime rate in Chelsea is 2,048 per 100,000 people, which is 50% higher than the Massachusetts average. On average, residents have a 1 in 49 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime. As of 2024, the most common types of crime were robbery, assault, burglary, and theft.
8. Fall River
Fall River is another one of the worst cities in Massachusetts due to its high violent crime rate. It's also the tenth-largest city in Massachusetts, with a population of 94,000. The total crime rate in Fall River is 1,989 per 100,000, which is 46% higher than the state average. Residents have a 1 in 51 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime. In 2023, there were a total of 853 violent crimes, with robbery and assault being the most common.
9. Webster
Webster has a population of 17,776 and is located in Worcester County. The total crime rate in Webster is 1,766 per 100,000 people, with residents having a 1 in 57 chance of becoming the victim of a crime. In 2023, there were 125 violent crimes, with six robberies and 108 assaults. In the same year, there were 40 burglaries and fourteen counts of motor vehicle theft. While Webster certainly isn’t dangerous by national standards, it still has a crime rate that is higher than the Massachusetts average.
10. Haverhill
Haverhill is a dangerous Massachusetts city located in Essex County along the New Hampshire border and has a population of 67,787. The total crime rate in Haverhill is 1,472 per 100,000 people, which is 8% higher than the state average. Residents have a 1 in 68 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime. In 2023, there were 359 violent crimes and 545 property crimes. The most common types of crime are robberies, assaults, burglaries, and thefts.
Most Dangerous Cities in Massachusetts Bottom Line
Although Massachusetts is often ranked as one of the safest and most affluent states in the US, there are also plenty of dangerous cities in Massachusetts that are best avoided. As this list shows, there are many places in Massachusetts where higher-than-average crime is a problem. If you are planning on visiting or relocating to the state, do your research and know the area beforehand.