Ask most people which Massachusetts city has the highest violent crime rate and they will say Boston or Springfield. The 2023 data says otherwise. North Adams — a post-industrial city of roughly 12,700 residents tucked into the northwest corner of the Berkshires, about 130 miles (209 km) west of Boston — recorded a violent crime rate of 1,079 per 100,000 residents, the highest of any municipality in the state.
That single number puts the rest of this list in context. Massachusetts is one of the safest states in the country: its statewide violent crime rate of approximately 309 per 100,000 is well below the national average of around 380 per 100,000. But safety is not distributed evenly, and the ten cities below all recorded violent crime rates at least 70% higher than the Massachusetts baseline in the most recent reporting year.
This guide ranks the ten most dangerous cities in Massachusetts by violent crime rate, using the most recent complete data available from the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer. Every figure is drawn from the same source and the same year, so the comparisons are like-for-like.
A note on data: Crime statistics reflect offences reported to law enforcement. Under-reporting varies by community, and a high crime rate can sometimes reflect better reporting practices as much as it does higher actual crime. These figures should be read as one input to a broader picture, not as a definitive verdict on any place.
Methodology
Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program — Crime Data Explorer, 2023. City-level offence totals from Table 8 of Crime in the United States 2023, cross-referenced with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) NIBRS dataset.
Population threshold: Only cities and towns with a population of at least 10,000 residents are included, to prevent tiny populations from producing statistically misleading rates.
Primary ranking criterion: Violent crime rate per 100,000 residents (highest to lowest). Violent crime is defined by the FBI as murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
Secondary criterion (tiebreaker): Property crime rate per 100,000 residents (burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft).
Limitations: Crime data reflects reported crimes only. Some agencies submit incomplete returns in a given year, which can depress a city’s recorded rate. Rates are calculated on resident population and do not account for daytime workers or tourists, which can inflate rates in commercial or tourist-heavy areas.
| Measure | Massachusetts (2023) | United States (2023) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate | ~309 per 100,000 | ~380 per 100,000 | FBI UCR 2023 Table 5 |
| Property crime rate | ~1,100 per 100,000 | ~1,760 per 100,000 | FBI UCR 2023 Table 5 |
Quick Comparison: The 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Massachusetts (2023)
| Rank | City | Population | Violent Crime Rate (per 100k) | Property Crime Rate (per 100k) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Adams | ~12,700 | 1,079 | 2,559 |
| 2 | Holyoke | ~38,000 | 989 | 4,633 |
| 3 | Chelsea | ~43,000 | 967 | 1,633 |
| 4 | Fall River | ~94,000 | 910 | 1,444 |
| 5 | Springfield | ~156,000 | 881 | 3,000 |
| 6 | Pittsfield | ~42,000 | 648 | 1,307 |
| 7 | Brockton | ~105,000 | 640 | 1,996 |
| 8 | Boston | ~675,000 | 627 | 1,949 |
| 9 | Chicopee | ~58,000 | 576 | 1,855 |
| 10 | West Springfield | ~29,000 | 536 | 3,170 |
All rates are per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, 2023.
1. North Adams
#1 Highest Violent Crime Rate in Massachusetts
| Metric | North Adams | MA State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate | 1,079 per 100,000 | 309 per 100,000 |
| Property crime rate | 2,559 per 100,000 | ~1,100 per 100,000 |
| Recorded violent crimes (2023) | 137 | — |
| Population | ~12,700 | — |
| County | Berkshire | — |
Most Massachusetts residents, if asked, would name Boston or Springfield as the state’s most dangerous city. The answer, as of 2023, is North Adams — and the reasons behind that statistic matter as much as the number itself.
Located approximately 130 miles (209 km) west of Boston in the far northwest corner of the state, North Adams is a former textile and manufacturing city whose economy was hollowed out over decades of factory closures. The city carries an 18% poverty rate — nearly double the Massachusetts statewide average of 10% — and sits in Berkshire County, which has consistently ranked among the state’s highest for opioid misuse. Drug-related violence, robbery, and aggravated assault are the dominant crime drivers; the 137 violent crimes recorded in 2023 included 122 aggravated assaults.
North Adams is also home to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), one of the largest contemporary art museums in the world, which draws significant tourist traffic. High foot traffic in the downtown core can contribute to elevated reported crime rates in small cities. Even accounting for this, the violent crime rate here — 3.5 times the state average — signals a genuine structural challenge that tourism activity alone cannot explain.
2. Holyoke
#1 Highest Property Crime Rate in Massachusetts
| Metric | Holyoke | MA State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate | 989 per 100,000 | 309 per 100,000 |
| Property crime rate | 4,633 per 100,000 | ~1,100 per 100,000 |
| Recorded violent crimes (2023) | 373 | — |
| Population | ~38,000 | — |
| County | Hampden | — |
Holyoke holds a remarkable and sobering double distinction: it ranks second in Massachusetts for violent crime and first for property crime, by a significant margin. Its property crime rate of 4,633 per 100,000 is more than four times the state average and nearly three times the national average — meaning residents face a far higher statistical risk of burglary, theft, or vehicle theft here than almost anywhere else in New England.
Located approximately 90 miles (145 km) west of Boston and about 8 miles (13 km) north of Springfield in the Pioneer Valley, Holyoke was once one of the most industrialised cities in the United States, powered by a planned canal system that drove its textile mills. Today it is among Massachusetts’ most economically distressed cities, with high rates of poverty, unemployment, and — consistent with the surrounding Pioneer Valley region — significant challenges around substance misuse. The city’s violent crime rate of 989 per 100,000 is more than three times the state average.
For visitors or potential residents, property protection is the primary concern: Holyoke’s theft and burglary rates dwarf anything else in the state. If you are travelling to the area, the College of the Holy Cross campus environment in nearby Worcester, or the safer eastern fringe of Hampden County, offer substantially lower risk profiles.
3. Chelsea
| Metric | Chelsea | MA State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate | 967 per 100,000 | 309 per 100,000 |
| Property crime rate | 1,633 per 100,000 | ~1,100 per 100,000 |
| Population | ~43,000 | — |
| County | Suffolk | — |
Chelsea occupies just 2.5 square miles (6.5 sq km) on the north bank of the Mystic River, directly across from Boston — about 3 miles (4.8 km) from downtown. Despite being the smallest city in Massachusetts by land area, it is one of the most densely populated, and that density concentrates crime statistics significantly. The city’s violent crime rate of 967 per 100,000 places it third in the state, more than three times the Massachusetts average.
Chelsea has a large immigrant population and has historically faced challenges around poverty, housing density, and gang activity. It is, however, worth noting that the city has undergone substantial investment and urban regeneration efforts in recent years, and its proximity to Boston’s employment centres makes it attractive to workers who cannot afford city-level rents. The property crime rate — while above the state average — is considerably more moderate than the violent crime rate would suggest, indicating that violent offences, particularly aggravated assault, are the primary driver of its ranking.
4. Fall River
| Metric | Fall River | MA State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate | 910 per 100,000 | 309 per 100,000 |
| Property crime rate | 1,444 per 100,000 | ~1,100 per 100,000 |
| Recorded violent crimes (2023) | 854 | — |
| Murders (2023) | 4 | — |
| Population | ~94,000 | — |
| County | Bristol | — |
Fall River is the tenth-largest city in Massachusetts and one of the most historically significant — it sits at the confluence of the Taunton River and Mount Hope Bay in Bristol County, roughly 50 miles (80 km) south of Boston. Like Holyoke and North Adams, its economy was built on textile manufacturing and similarly hollowed out by deindustrialisation. Of the 854 violent crimes recorded in 2023, aggravated assault accounted for 707 — the dominant driver of its rate, consistent with patterns seen across the Pioneer Valley and post-industrial southeastern Massachusetts.
Violent crime trends in Fall River have been slowly declining over the longer term: the city’s rate fell considerably from the peak years of the early 2010s, though it remains well above the state benchmark. The 4 murders recorded in 2023 represent a far more modest homicide profile than cities of comparable population in other states. Fall River’s property crime rate, at 1,444 per 100,000, is above the state average but notably below the worst performers in the state — theft and burglary are elevated but not at the extreme levels seen in Holyoke or West Springfield.
For historical context: Fall River is the birthplace of Lizzie Borden, whose 1893 murder trial made the city internationally notorious. The Borden house is now a museum, about 50 miles (80 km) south of Boston via Route 24.
5. Springfield
| Metric | Springfield | MA State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate | 881 per 100,000 | 309 per 100,000 |
| Property crime rate | 3,000 per 100,000 | ~1,100 per 100,000 |
| Recorded violent crimes (2023) | ~367 | — |
| Murders (2023) | 2 | — |
| Population | ~156,000 | — |
| County | Hampden | — |
Springfield is the third-largest city in Massachusetts, approximately 90 miles (145 km) west of Boston, and the urban hub of the Pioneer Valley. It is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame and the birthplace of basketball itself — Dr. James Naismith invented the sport here at the International YMCA Training School in 1891. It is also, consistently, one of the most challenging urban environments in the state.
Springfield’s violent crime rate of 881 per 100,000 is nearly three times the state average, and its property crime rate of 3,000 per 100,000 makes it the second-worst performer on that measure. Of the approximately 367 violent crimes recorded in 2023, robbery (63 incidents) and aggravated assault (285 incidents) dominated. The 2 homicides recorded were far lower than the city’s headline crime figures might suggest — a useful reminder that violent crime encompasses a wide spectrum, the most serious end of which has been trending downward across the Pioneer Valley region.
The city government has invested significantly in targeted policing and neighbourhood revitalisation, and Springfield’s long-term violent crime trend has been downward from its early-2000s peak. It remains, however, a city where awareness of surroundings — particularly in the North End and around the downtown core after dark — is warranted.
6. Pittsfield
| Metric | Pittsfield | MA State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate | 648 per 100,000 | 309 per 100,000 |
| Property crime rate | 1,307 per 100,000 | ~1,100 per 100,000 |
| Population | ~42,000 | — |
| County | Berkshire | — |
Pittsfield is the largest city in Berkshire County and the commercial hub of western Massachusetts, located approximately 135 miles (217 km) west of Boston. It sits in the same Berkshire County as North Adams and shares the same regional challenges: post-industrial economic decline, elevated poverty rates, and a well-documented opioid problem. Its violent crime rate of 648 per 100,000 is more than twice the state average, though its property crime rate sits comparatively close to the state benchmark — 1,307 versus ~1,100 per 100,000.
For visitors, the Berkshires are known for cultural institutions including Tanglewood (home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer season), Shakespeare & Company, and world-class hiking. Pittsfield itself acts as the gateway to these attractions and is generally safe in tourist-facing areas. Elevated crime is concentrated in specific residential districts rather than spread uniformly across the city.
7. Brockton
| Metric | Brockton | MA State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate | 640 per 100,000 | 309 per 100,000 |
| Property crime rate | 1,996 per 100,000 | ~1,100 per 100,000 |
| Population | ~105,000 | — |
| County | Plymouth | — |
Brockton — the “City of Champions,” birthplace of boxers Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler — is located approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Boston in Plymouth County. With a population of around 105,000, it is the sixth-largest city in Massachusetts and has historically struggled with crime in proportion to its size. Its violent crime rate of 640 per 100,000 places it seventh in the state ranking, but it carries the seventh-highest property crime rate as well — at nearly 2,000 per 100,000, it is double the state average on that measure.
Brockton has seen meaningful long-term improvements in both violent and property crime since the mid-2000s peaks. Community policing initiatives and investment in youth programmes have contributed to a downward trend, though the city’s figures remain significantly elevated above the state average. For travellers, Brockton is most commonly a pass-through point on the way south rather than a destination, and major routes through the city (Route 24, Route 106) are well-policed.
8. Boston
| Metric | Boston | MA State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate | 627 per 100,000 | 309 per 100,000 |
| Property crime rate | 1,949 per 100,000 | ~1,100 per 100,000 |
| Homicides (2023) | ~50 | — |
| Population | ~675,000 | — |
| County | Suffolk | — |
Boston’s place on this list deserves careful contextualisation. As the state capital and by far the most populous city in Massachusetts, Boston accounts for the highest absolute number of violent crimes in the state — but its rate of 627 per 100,000 ranks eighth. That distinction matters enormously: Boston’s crime is concentrated in specific neighbourhoods and specific crime types, and for most visitors to the city’s world-famous tourist districts — the Freedom Trail, Fenway Park, Cambridge, Back Bay — the lived experience of crime risk is considerably lower than the city-wide rate implies.
Boston recorded approximately 50 homicides in 2023, which, across a population of 675,000, produces a murder rate of around 7 per 100,000 — higher than the state average, but well below comparable US cities. The elevated rate is driven primarily by aggravated assault and, to a lesser extent, robbery. Property crime at 1,949 per 100,000 is above the state average, consistent with any large urban centre that attracts high volumes of visitors and daily commuters.
For travellers: Boston is overwhelmingly safe in its core tourist areas and ranks far better than comparable cities in other states. The neighbourhoods with elevated crime profiles — portions of Roxbury, Mattapan, and sections of Dorchester — are residential areas that the average visitor to Boston is unlikely to visit. Standard urban-travel caution applies; the city does not warrant a specific safety warning for typical tourism or business travel.
9. Chicopee
| Metric | Chicopee | MA State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate | 576 per 100,000 | 309 per 100,000 |
| Property crime rate | 1,855 per 100,000 | ~1,100 per 100,000 |
| Population | ~58,000 | — |
| County | Hampden | — |
Chicopee sits in the heart of the Pioneer Valley, flanked by Holyoke approximately 5 miles (8 km) to the north and Springfield roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) to the south. This geography is not incidental to its crime profile: the city absorbs spillover pressure from two of the three most crime-intensive cities in the state, and its violent crime rate of 576 per 100,000 — while lower than its neighbours — is still nearly double the Massachusetts average.
Chicopee’s property crime rate is notably elevated at 1,855 per 100,000, driven primarily by larceny-theft. The city hosts Westover Air Reserve Base, which brings a significant military population and has historically exerted a stabilising influence on certain residential areas. For visitors, the commercial corridor along Memorial Drive is generally well-trafficked and lower-risk; the primary concern here, as in much of the Pioneer Valley, is vehicle theft and property theft rather than violent confrontation.
10. West Springfield
#2 Highest Property Crime Rate in Massachusetts
| Metric | West Springfield | MA State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate | 536 per 100,000 | 309 per 100,000 |
| Property crime rate | 3,170 per 100,000 | ~1,100 per 100,000 |
| Population | ~29,000 | — |
| County | Hampden | — |
West Springfield’s violent crime rate — 536 per 100,000 — ranks tenth in Massachusetts. Its property crime rate tells a different story: at 3,170 per 100,000, it ranks second in the entire state, behind only Holyoke. That combination makes West Springfield one of the most unusual profiles on this list: comparatively moderate on violent crime by Massachusetts standards, but an outlier on property crime that demands specific attention.
West Springfield is a town of around 29,000 residents located on the west bank of the Connecticut River, approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Springfield’s city centre. It is a commercial and retail hub for the region — the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E), New England’s largest fair, is held here annually — and that high retail footfall is a significant driver of its property crime figures. Theft, shoplifting, and vehicle break-ins in commercial zones inflate the rate considerably beyond what residential street-level crime would produce alone.
For residents and visitors: be vigilant about vehicle security and do not leave valuables visible in parked cars, particularly in retail car parks. The risk profile here is predominantly financial rather than physical.
Just Outside the Top 10: New Bedford
New Bedford — located approximately 55 miles (88 km) south of Boston in Bristol County on Massachusetts’ South Coast — recorded a violent crime rate of 504 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,558 per 100,000 in 2023, placing it just outside the top 10 for violent crime (15th) but within the top 15 overall. With a population of around 103,000, it carries one of the highest absolute volumes of violent crime in the state, even if its rate has improved materially from earlier years. Anyone planning a visit to the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park or the waterfront will find a revitalised and tourist-welcoming district; elevated crime is concentrated away from the heritage core.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Massachusetts a safe state overall?
Yes. Massachusetts consistently ranks among the five safest states in the US for both violent and property crime. Its statewide violent crime rate of approximately 309 per 100,000 (2023) is roughly 18% below the national average of around 380 per 100,000. Even the cities on this list — while significantly above the state average — often compare favourably to average or below-average cities in states with higher overall crime rates.
Is Boston safe to visit?
For the vast majority of visitors, yes. Boston’s tourist core — the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, Back Bay, Cambridge, and Fenway — experiences crime levels typical of any busy international city. The elevated city-wide rate reflects crime concentrated in specific residential neighbourhoods that typical visitors do not pass through. Standard precautions (secure your belongings, be aware of your surroundings at night) are sufficient for most itineraries.
What is the most dangerous city in Massachusetts?
By violent crime rate per 100,000 residents, North Adams recorded the highest rate in Massachusetts in 2023, at 1,079 per 100,000 — more than three times the state average. Springfield is the largest city by population with a rate above 800 per 100,000. Holyoke holds the highest property crime rate of any city in the state, at 4,633 per 100,000.
Is Springfield MA dangerous?
Springfield has a violent crime rate of 881 per 100,000 (2023), which is approximately 2.8 times the Massachusetts state average. It is one of the most challenging urban environments in New England. That said, the city has a vibrant cultural offering — the Basketball Hall of Fame, the Springfield Museums, and a revitalised downtown entertainment district — and elevated crime is concentrated in specific residential areas rather than tourist-facing zones. Exercise standard urban caution and stay aware of your surroundings, particularly after dark.
Is Fall River MA dangerous?
Fall River’s violent crime rate of 910 per 100,000 (2023) places it fourth in Massachusetts. It is nearly three times the state average, driven primarily by aggravated assault. Its property crime rate, at 1,444 per 100,000, is above average but not at the extreme levels seen in Holyoke or West Springfield. The long-term trend has been downward from earlier peaks, but Fall River remains one of the cities in Massachusetts where situational awareness matters most.
Are crime rates in Massachusetts improving?
Yes, across the state. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) reported that Part One crimes declined 4.4% in 2024 compared to 2023, with total NIBRS offences dropping 6.5%. The national picture is similar: the FBI reported a 4.5% decrease in violent crime nationally in 2024. The long-term trajectory across Massachusetts — including the high-crime cities on this list — has been significantly downward since the 1990s, even as individual years show fluctuations.
Why does North Adams have such a high crime rate for a small city?
Several compounding factors: an 18% poverty rate (nearly double the state average), high long-term unemployment following the collapse of the textile and manufacturing industries, and Berkshire County’s well-documented opioid epidemic, which correlates strongly with elevated assault and robbery figures. North Adams also draws significant tourist traffic to MASS MoCA, and crime rate calculations based on resident population can appear inflated in cities with large daytime visitor populations relative to their size.
The Bottom Line
Massachusetts remains one of the safest states in America. A violent crime rate of around 309 per 100,000 — well below the national average of 380 — means that even the cities on this list occupy a different risk category than comparably-ranked cities in states like New Mexico, Arkansas, or Tennessee. North Adams at 1,079 per 100,000 would rank as moderately dangerous in many other states; in Massachusetts, that rate stands out because the baseline is so low.
For travellers, the practical takeaway is straightforward: Boston, the Berkshires, Cape Cod, and the South Shore are overwhelmingly safe destinations. The Pioneer Valley cities — Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee — warrant standard urban awareness, particularly around property security. North Adams, despite its rate, receives significant tourist traffic to MASS MoCA and the Appalachian Trail corridor with few incident reports among visitors. Crime statistics describe a population-wide statistical risk; they do not determine the outcome of any individual visit.
Data Sources & Further Reading
FBI Crime Data Explorer (UCR 2023) — primary source for all city-level crime rates
Massachusetts EOPSS — Crime Statistics — state-level NIBRS data and annual reports
Mass.gov — 2024 Preliminary Crime Data — year-on-year trend data
USAFacts — Massachusetts Crime Rate — state vs. national comparisons
FBI — Crime in the United States (historical publications)
All crime rates are per 100,000 residents unless otherwise stated. Data reflects the 2023 reporting year, released by the FBI in September 2024. Population figures are 2023 US Census Bureau estimates.