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

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

New York has a crime rate of 19.8 per 1,000 residents vs Boston's 22 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-

New York

New York

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

Boston

Massachusetts

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricNew YorkBoston
Overall Crime Rate19.8/1K22/1K
Violent Crime Rate380.0600.0
Property Crime Rate1600.01600.0
Murder Rate5.88.4
Assault Rate307.2460.1
Robbery Rate78.0114.1
Burglary Rate209.6274.4
Theft Rate1317.51305.9
Vehicle Theft Rate222.6273.8

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, New York is safer in 7 and Boston is safer in 1, with 1 tied.

Victim Odds Comparison

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

Full Safety Reports

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

Weather Comparison: New York vs Boston

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

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

Monthly Temperature Comparison

New YorkBostonHigh/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 New York safer than Boston?
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, New York or Boston?
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 New York vs Boston?
New York has a crime rate of 19.8 per 1,000 (violent: 380/100K, property: 1600/100K). Boston has 22 per 1,000 (violent: 600/100K, property: 1600/100K).
Should I move to New York or Boston?
From a safety perspective, New York has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. New York (pop. 8,584,629) and Boston (pop. 672,973) 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 New York and Boston compare for property crime?
New York has lower property crime at 1600 per 100K vs Boston's 1600. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

New York vs Los AngelesNew York vs ChicagoNew York vs San FranciscoBoston vs Philadelphia

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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