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Boston vs New York: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Boston has a crime rate of 22 per 1,000 residents vs New York's 19.8 per 1,000, making New York 10% safer overall. New York earns a B- safety grade compared to Boston's B-. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

B-

Boston

Massachusetts

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC-
Property CrimeB
Crime Rate22/1K
Percentile53%
B-

New York

New York

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB
Crime Rate19.8/1K
Percentile58%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricBostonNew York
Overall Crime Rate22/1K19.8/1K
Violent Crime Rate600.0380.0
Property Crime Rate1600.01600.0
Murder Rate8.45.8
Assault Rate460.1307.2
Robbery Rate114.178.0
Burglary Rate274.4209.6
Theft Rate1305.91317.5
Vehicle Theft Rate273.8222.6

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Boston is safer in 1 and New York is safer in 7, with 1 tied.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Boston, you have a 1 in 45 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 51 in New York.

Full Safety Reports

B-
Boston, Massachusetts Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B-
New York, New York Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Boston vs New York

Boston Climate Overview

Annual High59.2°F
Annual Low44.7°F
Annual Rain43.2"
Annual Snow42.6"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthMarch
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
FreezingColdComfortableWarm

New York Climate Overview

Annual High62.7°F
Annual Low47.3°F
Annual Rain49.0"
Annual Snow24.8"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

BostonNew YorkHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

New York is 3°F warmer in summer than Boston, but Boston is 4°F colder in winter than New York. Boston gets significantly more snow (43" vs 25"). New York is wetter with 49" of annual rain compared to 43".

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston safer than New York?
As of 2026, New York is 10% safer overall, with a crime rate of 19.8 per 1,000 residents compared to Boston's 22. New York earns a B- safety grade vs Boston's B-. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Boston or New York?
Boston has more violent crime at 600 per 100,000 residents. New York is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Boston vs New York?
Boston has a crime rate of 22 per 1,000 (violent: 600/100K, property: 1600/100K). New York has 19.8 per 1,000 (violent: 380/100K, property: 1600/100K).
Should I move to Boston or New York?
From a safety perspective, New York has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Boston (pop. 672,973) and New York (pop. 8,584,629) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. New York's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Boston and New York compare for property crime?
Boston has lower property crime at 1600 per 100K vs New York's 1600. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Boston vs PhiladelphiaNew York vs Los AngelesNew York vs ChicagoNew York vs San Francisco

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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