CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C+

Is Melrose, Massachusetts Safe?

Population 29,597 · Safer than 42% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Melrose is a smaller community of 29,597 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 198.7 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,178 per 100K.

Melrose Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMelroseMassachusetts AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate272.8323.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1713.72004.41,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate185.0--268.2
Theft Rate1178.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate299.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

198.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

273/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1714/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Melrose

Violent crime in Melrose is below the national average. The rate of 272.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1713.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,178 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Melrose Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault185
069% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery51
081% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary247
092% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,178
084% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft299
094% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Melrose Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Melrose
272.8
State
323.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Melrose
1713.7
State
2004.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Melrose Safety

Is Melrose safe?
It depends on where in Melrose you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Melrose?
198.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 272.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1713.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Melrose safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Melrose has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Melrose?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Melrose generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Melrose police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Melrose?
Crime rates have held steady in Melrose, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C+ grade.
How does Melrose compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
Middle of the pack for Massachusetts. Melrose isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 46th percentile among Massachusetts cities.
How safe is Melrose to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Melrose?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 42th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Melrose?
272.8 per 100,000, which is 25% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (185), robbery (51), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Massachusetts

Similar-sized communities in Massachusetts. Compare crime rates across the state.

D+
See crime rates in Bridgewater Town29,309 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in West Springfield Town28,829 pop · Grade C
C-
See crime rates in Agawam Town28,783 pop · Grade C-
C
See crime rates in Gloucester30,627 pop · Grade C
C+
See crime rates in Northampton31,047 pop · Grade C+
C
See crime rates in North Attleborough Town31,506 pop · Grade C
View all Massachusetts city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Melrose

Get weekly safety updates for Melrose

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities