Needham, MA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 95% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Needham Safe?
Yes — Needham is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Needham has a crime rate that is 51% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 475.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 475
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
45% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 175
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
69% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Needham 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
|
37 | -63% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
35 | -65% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
22 | -78% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Needham Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Needham Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Needham zip codes.
Needham Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Needham, MA?
Needham, MA has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 51% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 475 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 175 chance for property crime. Needham has lower crime than 95% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Needham, MA safe to live in?
Needham 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 Needham is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Needham?
The estimated violent crime rate in Needham is 210.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 45% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 475 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 1.8 per 100K (63% below average); aggravated assault at 166.3 per 100K (38% below average); robbery at 26.2 per 100K (65% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Needham?
The estimated property crime rate in Needham is 570.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 69% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 175 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 119.5 per 100K (56% below average); larceny/theft at 301.6 per 100K (78% below average); vehicle theft at 149.3 per 100K (53% below average).
How does Needham crime compare to the national average?
Needham's overall crime rate is 51% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (38% below average), while larceny/theft is 78% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Needham has lower crime than 95% of them.
Is Needham safe to visit?
Needham is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 69% 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 Needham crime compare to the rest of Massachusetts?
Massachusetts as a whole has crime that is 17% below the national average. Needham's crime rate is 51% below the national average, making it safer the typical Massachusetts city.
What type of crime is most common in Needham?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Needham, with an estimated rate of 301.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 78% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (570 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (211 per 100K) in Needham, which is consistent with national trends.