Arlington, MA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Arlington Safe?
Yes — Arlington is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Arlington has a crime rate that is 45% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 425.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 425
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
38% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 146
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
63% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Arlington 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
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
23 | -77% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
17 | -83% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
34 | -66% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
29 | -71% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
58 | -42% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Arlington Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Arlington Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Arlington zip codes.
Arlington Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Arlington, MA?
Arlington, MA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 45% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 425 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 146 chance for property crime. Arlington has lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Arlington, MA safe to live in?
Arlington is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Arlington is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Arlington?
The estimated violent crime rate in Arlington is 235.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 425 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.0 per 100K (39% below average); aggravated assault at 209.5 per 100K (22% below average); robbery at 17.1 per 100K (77% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Arlington?
The estimated property crime rate in Arlington is 685.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 63% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 146 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 92.7 per 100K (66% below average); larceny/theft at 409.2 per 100K (71% below average); vehicle theft at 183.4 per 100K (42% below average).
How does Arlington crime compare to the national average?
Arlington's overall crime rate is 45% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (22% below average), while rape is 83% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Arlington has lower crime than 84% of them.
Is Arlington safe to visit?
Arlington is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 63% below 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 Arlington crime compare to the rest of Massachusetts?
Massachusetts as a whole has crime that is 17% below the national average. Arlington's crime rate is 45% below the national average, making it safer the typical Massachusetts city.
What type of crime is most common in Arlington?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Arlington, with an estimated rate of 409.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 71% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (685 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (235 per 100K) in Arlington, which is consistent with national trends.