With a crime rate for both violent and property crime combined of 6 per 1,000 residents, the crime rate in Reading is one of the lower rates in America among communities of all sizes (lower than 67% of America's communities). One's chance of becoming a victim of crime in Reading is one in 162. Compared to communities within Massachusetts, Reading‘s crime rate is lower than nearly 53% of the state's cities and towns. It is for these reasons that Reading is ranked as one of the top 100 safest cities in the U.S.A.

Additionally, NeighborhoodScout analyzed all cities and towns in America with a similar population size to Reading, and we found that the crime rate in Reading is one of the lowest in the nation for its size. This means Reading is one of the safest places in America in which to live for its size, a very important finding.

Now let us turn to take a look at how Reading does for violent crimes specifically, and then how it does for property crimes. This is important because the overall crime rate can be further illuminated by understanding if violent crime or property crimes (or both) are the major contributors to the general rate of crime in Reading.

For Reading, NeighborhoodScout found that the violent crime rate is well below the national average for all communities of all population sizes. Violent crimes such as assault, rape, murder and armed robbery happen less often in Reading than in most of America. One's chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime here is one in 5041, which is a violent crime rate of 0 per one thousand inhabitants.

NeighborhoodScout's analysis of property crime reveals that the property crime rate in Reading is below average to all cities and towns in the nation. This means that you are less likely to become a victim of arson, motor vehicle theft, larceny, or burglary in Reading than in most communities in America. Your chance of becoming a victim of property crime if you live here? Just one in 167.