Palmer, MA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 96% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Palmer Safe?
Yes — Palmer is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Palmer has a crime rate that is 51% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 502.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 502
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
48% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 124
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
56% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Palmer 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
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
53 | -47% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
63 | -37% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
39 | -61% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
41 | -59% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
39 | -61% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Palmer Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Palmer Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Palmer zip codes.
Palmer Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Palmer, MA?
Palmer, 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 502 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 124 chance for property crime. Palmer has lower crime than 96% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Palmer, MA safe to live in?
Palmer 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 Palmer is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Palmer?
The estimated violent crime rate in Palmer is 199.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 48% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 502 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.4 per 100K (53% below average); aggravated assault at 143.2 per 100K (47% below average); robbery at 32.7 per 100K (56% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Palmer?
The estimated property crime rate in Palmer is 806.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 56% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 124 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 104.3 per 100K (61% below average); larceny/theft at 577.4 per 100K (59% below average); vehicle theft at 124.8 per 100K (61% below average).
How does Palmer crime compare to the national average?
Palmer's overall crime rate is 51% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (37% below average), while burglary is 61% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Palmer has lower crime than 96% of them.
Is Palmer safe to visit?
Palmer is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 56% 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 Palmer crime compare to the rest of Massachusetts?
Massachusetts as a whole has crime that is 17% below the national average. Palmer's crime rate is 51% below the national average, making it safer the typical Massachusetts city.
What type of crime is most common in Palmer?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Palmer, with an estimated rate of 577.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 59% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (807 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (199 per 100K) in Palmer, which is consistent with national trends.