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D-

Is Boston, Massachusetts Safe?

Population 672,973 · Safer than 14% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Boston has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D- safety grade reflects a violent crime rate above the national average and an overall rate of 276.2 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,908 per 100K.

Boston Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBostonMassachusetts AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate427.1323.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2334.92004.41,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate315.0--268.2
Theft Rate1908.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate390.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD-

276.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

427/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2335/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Boston

Violent crime in Boston is above the national average. The rate of 427.1 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2334.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,908 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 315 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Boston Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault315
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery86
01.4x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary437
01.6x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,908
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft390
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Boston Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Boston
427.1
State
323.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Boston
2334.9
State
2004.4
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Boston Safety

Is Boston safe?
Not especially. Boston earns a D- with a crime rate of 276.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Boston?
276.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 427.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2334.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Boston safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Boston's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,908 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Boston?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Boston generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Boston police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Boston?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Boston's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Boston compare to other cities in Massachusetts?
Below average for the state. Boston ranks behind about 87% of Massachusetts cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Boston to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Boston?
Bad. A D- grade and 276.2 per-thousand rate put Boston below 86% of US cities. Violent crime at 427 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Boston?
427.1 per 100,000, which is 17% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (315), robbery (86), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Massachusetts

Similar-sized communities in Massachusetts. Compare crime rates across the state.

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View all Massachusetts city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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