Amherst, MA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 54% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Amherst Safe?
Mostly yes — Amherst is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Amherst has a crime rate that is 24% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 260.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 260
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
1% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 40
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
35% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Amherst Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
117 | +17% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
129 | +29% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
190 | +90% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
98 | -2% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
119 | +19% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
169 | +69% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Amherst Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Amherst Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Amherst zip codes.
Amherst Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Amherst, MA?
Amherst, MA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 24% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 260 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 40 chance for property crime. Amherst has lower crime than 54% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Amherst, MA safe to live in?
Amherst is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Amherst is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Amherst?
The estimated violent crime rate in Amherst is 384.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 1% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 260 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.8 per 100K (17% above average); aggravated assault at 219.4 per 100K (18% below average); robbery at 95.1 per 100K (29% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Amherst?
The estimated property crime rate in Amherst is 2,475.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 40 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 264.1 per 100K (2% below average); larceny/theft at 1,673.0 per 100K (19% above average); vehicle theft at 538.6 per 100K (69% above average).
How does Amherst crime compare to the national average?
Amherst's overall crime rate is 24% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (90% above average), while assault is 18% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Amherst has lower crime than 54% of them.
Is Amherst safe to visit?
Amherst is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 35% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Amherst crime compare to the rest of Massachusetts?
Massachusetts as a whole has crime that is 17% below the national average. Amherst's crime rate is 24% below the national average, making it safer the typical Massachusetts city.
What type of crime is most common in Amherst?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Amherst, with an estimated rate of 1,673.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 19% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,476 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (384 per 100K) in Amherst, which is consistent with national trends.