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C

Is Medford, Massachusetts Safe?

Population 59,834 · Safer than 31% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C grade for Medford means there's room for concern. The 223.7 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime close to the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,507 per 100K.

Medford Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMedfordMassachusetts AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate352.7323.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1884.42004.41,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate269.0--268.2
Theft Rate1507.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate471.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC

223.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

353/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1884/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Medford

Violent crime in Medford is close to the national average. The rate of 352.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1884.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,507 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Medford Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault269
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery66
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary344
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,507
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft471
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Medford Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Medford
352.7
State
323.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Medford
1884.4
State
2004.4
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medford Safety

Is Medford safe?
Not especially. Medford earns a C with a crime rate of 223.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Medford?
223.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 352.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1884.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Medford safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Medford's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,507 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Medford?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Medford generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Medford police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Medford?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Medford's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Medford compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
Below average for the state. Medford ranks behind about 63% of Massachusetts cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Medford to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Medford?
Bad. A C grade and 223.7 per-thousand rate put Medford below 69% of US cities. Violent crime at 353 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Medford?
352.7 per 100,000, which is 3% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (269), robbery (66), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

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View all Massachusetts city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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