Melrose, MA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Melrose, MA

Is Melrose, MA safe to live in?

Melrose earns an overall crime grade of A, placing it among the safest cities in Massachusetts. All 8 analyzed neighborhoods received a grade of A or higher — meaning 100% of the city falls into the top safety tier. Standout neighborhoods like Mount Hood, Horace Mann, and East Side each hold an A+ rating, the highest possible grade. Even the neighborhood with the lowest relative grade — Oak Grove / Pine Banks — still earns an A-, which remains an excellent safety rating by any measure. For families, professionals, and retirees, Melrose consistently ranks as a very safe community.

Which neighborhoods in Melrose have the lowest crime rates?

Four neighborhoods share the top A+ safety grade: Mount Hood (population 1,842; median household income $144,309), Horace Mann (population 2,981; median income $150,689), East Side (population 7,714; median income $145,077), and Cedar Park (population 1,576; median income $125,154). These areas combine low crime activity with some of the city's highest income levels. Melrose Highlands and Wyoming follow closely with A grades, at median incomes of $112,296 and $91,880 respectively. No neighborhood in Melrose falls below an A- grade.

Are there any higher-crime areas in Melrose I should know about?

Relative to the rest of Melrose, Oak Grove / Pine Banks carries the city's lowest neighborhood grade at A-, followed by Downtown and Wyoming, both graded A. It's important to put this in perspective: an A- is still an outstanding safety rating — these areas are not dangerous by any objective standard. Downtown Melrose has a median household income of $83,697, the lowest in the city, which may contribute to slightly elevated activity compared to wealthier enclaves like Horace Mann. Even so, 100% of Melrose neighborhoods qualify as safe (A or B grade), and 0% fall into the C, D, or F categories.

How does Melrose's crime profile compare statistically?

Melrose's safety metrics are reinforced by strong socioeconomic indicators. The city's poverty rate is just 3.9% — well below the national average — and the unemployment rate sits at 4.2%. The median household income of $114,604 is significantly above the U.S. median, and the median home value of $599,149 reflects a stable, high-demand housing market. With a population density of approximately 2,312 residents per square mile, Melrose is moderately dense, which supports active street life and community awareness — both factors associated with lower crime. All 8 neighborhoods analyzed earned a grade of A or better, giving Melrose a 100% safe-neighborhood rate.

Is Melrose a good place to buy a home from a safety standpoint?

Yes. With a median home value of $599,149 and a median rent of $1,638, Melrose is a premium housing market — and its crime grades justify the investment. Every single neighborhood in the city holds at least an A- safety grade, meaning buyers can feel confident across the entire city map. Top-graded neighborhoods like East Side (the largest at 7,714 residents) and Cedar Park offer both safety and community character. The combination of a city-wide A grade, low poverty, and high median incomes makes Melrose one of the more secure real estate markets in the greater Boston area.

What types of crime are most relevant to watch in Melrose?

Because Melrose's overall crime rate is very low — with all neighborhoods graded A or A+ — the most relevant incidents to monitor are typically opportunistic property crimes such as vehicle break-ins or package theft, which are common in suburban communities of this density. Violent crime is exceptionally rare across all eight neighborhoods. The Downtown and Oak Grove / Pine Banks areas, while still graded A and A- respectively, see slightly more activity than the quieter residential pockets of Mount Hood or Cedar Park. Residents are encouraged to check the Melrose Police Department's official crime statistics page for the most current incident-level data.