Lawrence, MA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 81% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Lawrence Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Lawrence has a crime rate that is 25% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 639.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 639
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
59% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 36
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
52% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Lawrence 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
|
141 | +41% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
0 | -100% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
143 | +43% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
129 | +29% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
112 | +12% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
141 | +41% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
158 | +58% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Lawrence Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Lawrence Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Lawrence zip codes.
Lawrence Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Lawrence, MA?
Lawrence, MA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 25% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 639 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 36 chance for property crime. Lawrence has higher crime than 81% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Lawrence, MA safe to live in?
Lawrence has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Lawrence is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Lawrence?
The estimated violent crime rate in Lawrence is 156.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 59% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 639 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.0 per 100K (41% above average); aggravated assault at 0.0 per 100K (100% below average); robbery at 106.0 per 100K (43% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Lawrence?
The estimated property crime rate in Lawrence is 2,777.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 52% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 36 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 302.5 per 100K (12% above average); larceny/theft at 1,971.7 per 100K (41% above average); vehicle theft at 502.9 per 100K (58% above average).
How does Lawrence crime compare to the national average?
Lawrence's overall crime rate is 25% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (58% above average), while assault is 100% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lawrence has higher crime than 81% of them.
Is Lawrence safe to visit?
Visitors to Lawrence should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 52% 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 Lawrence crime compare to the rest of Massachusetts?
Massachusetts as a whole has crime that is 17% below the national average. Lawrence's crime rate is 25% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Massachusetts city.
What type of crime is most common in Lawrence?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lawrence, with an estimated rate of 1,971.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 41% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,777 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (156 per 100K) in Lawrence, which is consistent with national trends.