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C

Is Waltham, Massachusetts Safe?

Population 65,037 · Safer than 34% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C grade for Waltham means there's room for concern. The 217.5 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 1,231 per 100K.

Waltham Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWalthamMassachusetts AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate399.6323.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1775.12004.41,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate304.0--268.2
Theft Rate1231.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate432.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

217.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

400/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1775/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Waltham

Violent crime in Waltham is close to the national average. The rate of 399.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1775.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,231 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 304 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Waltham Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault304
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery84
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary243
090% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,231
088% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft432
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Waltham Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Waltham
399.6
State
323.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Waltham
1775.1
State
2004.4
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waltham Safety

Is Waltham safe?
Not especially. Waltham earns a C with a crime rate of 217.5 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 Waltham?
217.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 399.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1775.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Waltham safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Waltham's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,231 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Waltham?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Waltham generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Waltham police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Waltham?
Crime rates have held steady in Waltham, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does Waltham compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
Below average for the state. Waltham ranks behind about 69% of Massachusetts cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Waltham to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Waltham?
Bad. A C grade and 217.5 per-thousand rate put Waltham below 66% of US cities. Violent crime at 400 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Waltham?
399.6 per 100,000, which is 10% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (304), robbery (84), and murder (8.0) 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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