Towson, MD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 41% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Towson Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Towson has a crime rate that is 11% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 236.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 236
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
11% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 43
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
27% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Towson 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
|
103 | +3% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
114 | +14% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
107 | +7% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
101 | +1% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
97 | -3% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
121 | +21% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
118 | +18% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Towson Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Towson Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Towson zip codes.
Towson Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Towson, MD?
Towson, MD has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 11% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 236 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 43 chance for property crime. Towson has lower crime than 41% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Towson, MD safe to live in?
Towson 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 Towson is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Towson?
The estimated violent crime rate in Towson is 424.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 11% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 236 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.1 per 100K (3% above average); aggravated assault at 305.7 per 100K (14% above average); robbery at 79.4 per 100K (7% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Towson?
The estimated property crime rate in Towson is 2,327.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 27% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 43 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 261.8 per 100K (3% below average); larceny/theft at 1,690.5 per 100K (21% above average); vehicle theft at 375.4 per 100K (18% above average).
How does Towson crime compare to the national average?
Towson's overall crime rate is 11% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (21% above average), while burglary is 3% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Towson has lower crime than 41% of them.
Is Towson safe to visit?
Visitors to Towson should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 27% 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 Towson crime compare to the rest of Maryland?
Maryland as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. Towson's crime rate is 11% below the national average, making it safer the typical Maryland city.
What type of crime is most common in Towson?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Towson, with an estimated rate of 1,690.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 21% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,328 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (424 per 100K) in Towson, which is consistent with national trends.