CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C+

Is Northampton, Massachusetts Safe?

Population 31,047 · Safer than 42% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Northampton is a smaller community of 31,047 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 198.2 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,346 per 100K.

Northampton Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricNorthamptonMassachusetts AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate277.8323.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1704.02004.41,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate211.0--268.2
Theft Rate1346.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate301.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

198.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

278/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1704/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Northampton

Violent crime in Northampton is below the national average. The rate of 277.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1704.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,346 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Northampton Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault211
079% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery41
065% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary192
071% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,346
096% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft301
095% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Northampton Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Northampton
277.8
State
323.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Northampton
1704.0
State
2004.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Northampton Safety

Is Northampton safe?
It depends on where in Northampton 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 Northampton?
198.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 277.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1704.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Northampton safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Northampton 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 Northampton?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Northampton generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Northampton police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Northampton?
No. Crime in Northampton has been trending down, which is good news for the C+-rated city.
How does Northampton compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
Middle of the pack for Massachusetts. Northampton isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 51th percentile among Massachusetts cities.
How safe is Northampton to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Northampton?
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 Northampton?
277.8 per 100,000, which is 24% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (211), robbery (41), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Massachusetts

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

C
See crime rates in Gloucester30,627 pop · Grade C
C
See crime rates in North Attleborough Town31,506 pop · Grade C
C+
See crime rates in Melrose29,597 pop · Grade C+
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-
View all Massachusetts city safety grades

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

Get weekly safety updates for Northampton

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