Violent Crime
New Jersey has 50% less violent crime
New Jersey records 188.9 violent incidents per 100k residents versus 283.3 in Massachusetts (FBI UCR 2022).
Violent Crime Rate Comparison
Safety
Massachusetts vs New Jersey: Violent Crime Rate
New Jersey has a lower violent crime rate than Massachusetts.
Massachusetts
MA • Northeast
283.3
Violent crime incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI UCR 2022).
New Jersey
NJ • Northeast
188.9
Violent crime incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI UCR 2022).
Visual Comparison
Massachusetts
283.3
New Jersey
188.9
Difference: 94.4 per 100k — New Jersey leads.
Safety Context
Economic and demographic factors behind the violent crime rate difference.
Safety
Poverty
New Jersey has a lower poverty rate
Economic stress and crime are closely tied. New Jersey's poverty rate is 9.7%, compared with 10.4% in Massachusetts.
View detailed comparisonIncome
New Jersey has higher household income
States with stronger median incomes tend to have lower crime rates. New Jersey leads at $97,126 vs $96,505 in Massachusetts.
View detailed comparisonPopulation Density
New Jersey is more densely populated
Urban density often correlates with higher crime rates. New Jersey is more densely populated at 1,064.9 per sq mi vs 666.1 in Massachusetts.
View detailed comparisonSafety Snapshot
Massachusetts
Safety
Violent crime rate / 100k
283.3
Contributing factors
Poverty rate
10.4%
Median household income
$96,505
Population density
666.1 / sq mi
Unemployment rate
4.8%
New Jersey
Safety
Violent crime rate / 100k
188.9
Contributing factors
Poverty rate
9.7%
Median household income
$97,126
Population density
1,064.9 / sq mi
Unemployment rate
5.4%
What Stands Out
- New Jersey has the lower violent crime rate at 188.9 per 100k.
- New Jersey has the lower poverty rate.
- New Jersey has the higher median household income.
Related Pages
What This Means
Massachusetts vs New Jersey: Violent Crime Rate in context
New Jersey has a violent crime rate of 188.9, compared with 283.3 in Massachusetts. Violent crime incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI UCR 2022).
Massachusetts
283.3
New Jersey
188.9
Difference
94.4 per 100k
People Also Ask
Massachusetts vs New Jersey Violent Crime Rate — Common Questions
Q What is Massachusetts's violent crime rate?
Massachusetts's violent crime rate is 283.3.
Q What is New Jersey's violent crime rate?
New Jersey's violent crime rate is 188.9.
Q Which state has a lower violent crime rate — Massachusetts or New Jersey?
New Jersey has a lower violent crime rate than Massachusetts.
More Comparisons: Massachusetts vs New Jersey
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Sources: Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker.