Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Massachusetts in 2025

Do you need to relocate within Massachusetts while being concerned about the safety of your new neighborhood? It’s normal to feel that way. The knowledge of the worst places to live in Massachusetts with elevated crime risks becomes essential when you plan your move for a new job or school, or to start fresh.

The following article presents profiles of the ten most dangerous cities in Massachusetts during 2025 while analyzing the state's prevalent criminal activities and describing our research approach.

What Is the Most Common Crime in Massachusetts?

Statewide statistics show that violent offenses including aggravated assault along with robbery and rape and homicide continue to be major priority concerns.

The state of Massachusetts documented 959 violent criminal incidents annually for every 100,000 residents, as urban areas with high poverty levels strongly affected the crime rates during 2025.

Property crimes, including burglary and robbery, together with motor vehicle theft reports, averaged 3,718 occurrences per 100,000 residents throughout the entire state during the particular period.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Massachusetts

Below, we profile each of the ten most dangerous city in Massachusetts with the highest violent crime rates per 100,000 residents (2025 data from the FBI’s UCR program, as catalogued by the Geoffrey G. Nathan Law Offices). We also note how property crimes compound residents’ risk in these locales, often pushing local rates above the statewide average of 3,718 incidents per 100,000 people.

1. Springfield

In Springfield, the violent crime rate soars to 842.2 per 100,000 residents, making it the most dangerous city in Massachusetts. Residents there face everything from street-corner assaults to armed robberies, with gangs and illicit drug activity cited as key drivers behind the violence.

Property crime exacerbates the sense of insecurity: night after night, homeowners and business owners report burglaries in both dense urban neighborhoods and quieter suburban fringes.

2. Holyoke

Holyoke follows closely, with 747.6 violent crimes per 100,000 people. On any given night, local headlines may spotlight a violent altercation at a bar or a residential break-in in one of Holyoke’s historic Victorian districts.

3. Brockton

Brockton’s violent crime tally stands at 674.9 per 100,000 residents. Known as the “City of Champions” for its boxing legacy, Brockton today grapples with a mix of juvenile gang disputes and domestic violence cases.

Community advocates point out that parts of North Brockton experience property crime rates exceeding 1,692 per 100,000 people, including repeated vehicle thefts and shoplifting sprees at local strip malls. Residents report that the risk intensifies after sunset, when street lighting in some neighborhoods is insufficient and foot patrols are thin.

4. New Bedford

Once a whaling capital, New Bedford now records 629.1 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Maritime commerce and tourism flourish, but certain harbor-adjacent districts wrestle with higher rates of armed robberies and drug-trade tensions.

Property crimes run rampant in older residential blocks, where break-ins and stolen vehicles are almost nightly news. While community groups have launched neighborhood watch programs, the city’s port economy, marked by transient dockworkers and fluctuating incomes, remains a backdrop for recidivism and theft.

5. Worcester

Massachusetts’s second-largest city, Worcester, posts 573.2 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, placing it fifth on our list. Worcester’s sprawling size means crime is not evenly distributed: the downtown entertainment district sees occasional high-profile assaults, while outlying areas near Clark University report sporadic property break-ins.

Even so, the citywide property crime rate exceeds the state average, driven by pervasive shoplifting at retail centers and sporadic vehicle theft rings that target commuter lots.

6. Chelsea

Just across the Mystic River from Boston, Chelsea’s dense housing stock and heavy foot traffic contribute to its 537.0 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Misdirected youth violence and domestic disputes surface more often than in neighboring Somerville, and property crime—especially car theft—afflicts many households.

Community leaders have criticized staffing shortages at the local police department, noting that response times can stretch past 20 minutes for non-emergency calls during peak evening hours.

7. Lawrence

Lawrence, a city with century-old mill heritage, logs 511.1 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. Gang activity and cultural tensions have played roles in the city’s higher homicide counts in recent years.

Small businesses along Broadway face frequent shoplifting, and residents frequently report smashed-out car windows. Despite municipal investment in youth centers and after-school programs, the property crime rate remains stubbornly elevated, reflecting the need for sustained economic recovery alongside policing.

8. Fall River

In Fall River, known for its textile-mill history, the violent crime rate is 510.0 per 100,000 . Once again, economic decline in certain mill districts correlates with higher assault and robbery statistics.

The city’s waterfront tourist corridor, while bustling by day, sees a spike in vandalism and purse-snatching incidents after dark. Properties near the riverfront often face break-ins, and residents cite a mixture of private security patrols and civilian vigilance to counteract these risks.

9. Lynn

Lynn records 488.9 violent crimes per 100,000 people, with aggravated assaults and armed robberies cropping up most frequently in the urban core. While redevelopment projects have injected new housing and retail, many formerly industrial zones still endure property crimes near the waterfront.

Drivers avoid parking overnight in certain lots, having experienced car theft attempts or broken windows. Local nonprofits have begun deploying SafeWalk volunteer escorts, but systemic issues like unemployment continue to underpin Lynn’s crime challenges.

10. Boston

The state capital has ranked among these locations as it reports 462.6 violent crimes per 100,000 population. The bulk of violent offenses occur within small sections of the city that concentrate in Dorchester, along with Roxbury, whereas Back Bay and Seaport District remain crime-free.

Every corner of the city experiences property crime through bike thefts and package stealing incidents that total slightly under 3,500 occurrences per 100,000 residents annually. The large number of public transit riders, along with visiting tourists, creates conditions at T stations and hotel lobbies where fraudulent individuals find opportunities to commit crimes.

How We Determine the Most Dangerous City in Massachusetts?

We ranked each city by blending hard numbers with on-the-ground insights; our list captures both raw statistics and lived experience. Our selection is based on:

1. Violent crime rate (per 100,000) from FBI UCR data for 2022
2. Property crime rate, noting how each city compares to the 3,718-per-100,000 state average
3. Motor vehicle theft figures, since stolen cars impact insurance, commute safety, and local fear
4. Local factors like unemployment, poverty rates, and housing density (cities with greater economic stress often have higher crime)
5. Community reports from local police blotters and resident surveys confirming hotspots for assaults, break-ins, and theft

How to Stay Safe in Worst Towns in Massachusetts?

Life in or near a high-crime area doesn’t have to be lived in fear. Here are some tips to stay safe in the worst towns of Massachusetts:

• Know the Hot Spots: Check local police websites for weekly crime maps.
• Use Well-lit Routes: Stick to main roads, avoid back alleys, and unlit parks after dark.
• Park Smart: Always lock doors, hide valuables out of sight and, where possible, use garages or secured lots.
• Stay in Groups: There’s safety in numbers, especially when walking or waiting for transit late at night.
• Report and Block: If you see suspicious activity, call 911. For non-emergencies, use your town’s tip line.
• Secure Your Home: Install good locks, motion-sensor lights, and—if budget allows—a home security camera.

FAQs

What town has the lowest crime rate in Massachusetts?

Newton maintains its position as Massachusetts' safest town through its combination of effective community policing and high median incomes, and active neighborhood associations, which produce a violent crime rate of 61.2 incidents per 100,000 residents.

What city in Massachusetts has the highest crime rate?

Springfield stands as the Massachusetts city with the highest violent crime rate at 842.2 incidents per 100,000 people, while Holyoke follows closely with 747.6 incidents.

Is Massachusetts the safest state?

Yes. The total crime rate in Massachusetts stands at 2,495 incidents per 100,000 residents, while remaining lower than the national average of 3,099.

Conclusion

Urban centers and business opportunities thrive in Massachusetts, yet certain areas, such as Springfield, Holyoke, and Brockton, pose greater safety risks. Your knowledge about crime statistics and municipality positions, coupled with suitable safety rules, will increase your security while exploring different parts of Massachusetts.

What’s your take? Have you ever lived or traveled to any of these places? Add your individual experiences along with security guidance through the comment section to support others in making wiser decisions.