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Boston vs Philadelphia: 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 Philadelphia's 26.5 per 1,000, making Boston 17% safer overall. Boston earns a B- safety grade compared to Philadelphia's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

B-

Boston

Massachusetts

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

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeD
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate26.5/1K
Percentile41%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricBostonPhiladelphia
Overall Crime Rate22/1K26.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate600.0750.0
Property Crime Rate1600.01900.0
Murder Rate8.412.2
Assault Rate460.1561.2
Robbery Rate114.1121.4
Burglary Rate274.4245.4
Theft Rate1305.91445.1
Vehicle Theft Rate273.8266.1

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 7 and Philadelphia is safer in 2.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Boston, you have a 1 in 45 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 38 in Philadelphia.

Full Safety Reports

B-
Boston, Massachusetts Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Boston vs Philadelphia

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

Philadelphia Climate Overview

Annual High64.4°F
Annual Low47.9°F
Annual Rain42.2"
Annual Snow19.0"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthDecember
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

BostonPhiladelphiaHigh/Low °F range
20°40°60°80°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Philadelphia is 5°F warmer in summer than Boston, but Boston is 4°F colder in winter than Philadelphia. Boston gets significantly more snow (43" vs 19").

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston safer than Philadelphia?
As of 2026, Boston is 17% safer overall, with a crime rate of 22 per 1,000 residents compared to Philadelphia's 26.5. Boston earns a B- safety grade vs Philadelphia's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Boston or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has more violent crime at 750 per 100,000 residents. Boston is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Boston vs Philadelphia?
Boston has a crime rate of 22 per 1,000 (violent: 600/100K, property: 1600/100K). Philadelphia has 26.5 per 1,000 (violent: 750/100K, property: 1900/100K).
Should I move to Boston or Philadelphia?
From a safety perspective, Boston has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Boston (pop. 672,973) and Philadelphia (pop. 1,574,281) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Boston's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Boston and Philadelphia compare for property crime?
Boston has lower property crime at 1600 per 100K vs Philadelphia's 1900. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Boston vs New YorkBoston vs New YorkPhiladelphia vs New YorkPhiladelphia vs ChicagoPhiladelphia vs Pittsburgh

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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