Sterling, MA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Sterling Safe?
Yes — Sterling is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Sterling has a crime rate that is 54% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 395.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 395
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
34% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 151
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
64% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Sterling 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
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
106 | +6% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
22 | -78% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
23 | -77% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Sterling Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Sterling Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Sterling zip codes.
Sterling Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Sterling, MA?
Sterling, MA has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 54% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 395 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 151 chance for property crime. Sterling has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Sterling, MA safe to live in?
Sterling 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 Sterling is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Sterling?
The estimated violent crime rate in Sterling is 252.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 395 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.8 per 100K (43% below average); aggravated assault at 173.2 per 100K (35% below average); robbery at 56.1 per 100K (24% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Sterling?
The estimated property crime rate in Sterling is 661.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 64% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 151 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 287.0 per 100K (6% above average); larceny/theft at 301.8 per 100K (78% below average); vehicle theft at 72.7 per 100K (77% below average).
How does Sterling crime compare to the national average?
Sterling's overall crime rate is 54% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (6% above average), while larceny/theft is 78% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Sterling has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Sterling safe to visit?
Sterling is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 64% 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 Sterling crime compare to the rest of Massachusetts?
Massachusetts as a whole has crime that is 17% below the national average. Sterling's crime rate is 54% below the national average, making it safer the typical Massachusetts city.
What type of crime is most common in Sterling?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Sterling, with an estimated rate of 301.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 78% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (662 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (253 per 100K) in Sterling, which is consistent with national trends.