Is Boston Safe?
With an overall crime index of 132, Boston has a 32% higher crime rate than the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 217. However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood, with areas like Longwood Medical Area earning an A grade while Chinatown rates C.
Crime Index Comparison
Boston
Massachusetts Avg
National Avg
100 = national average. Higher values indicate more crime.
Crime Index
132
32% above average
Violent Crime
115
15% above average
Property Crime
120
20% above average
Safe Areas
93%
Neighborhoods rated A or B
Your chance of violent crime in Boston
1 in 217
Property crime: 1 in 208
Where Is It Safe in Boston?
Safest Neighborhoods
1
A
2
A
3
A
4
A
5
A
6
A-
7
A-
8
A-
9
A-
10
A-
Longwood Medical Area
Median income: $58,076
North End
Median income: $102,919
Beacon Hill
Median income: $112,055
Seaport
Median income: $120,308
Waterfront
Median income: $170,458
South Station
Median income: $184,716
Back Bay
Median income: $114,597
Leather District
Median income: $175,509
Fenway / Kenmore
Median income: $39,352
West End
Median income: $104,827
Explore the Interactive Crime Map
See neighborhood-level heatmap
Check Registered Offenders
Search offenders near any address
Boston Crime Breakdown
Highest Risk
Assault · 39% above avg
Lowest Risk
Robbery · 15% below avg
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder Violent | 121 | ▲ 21% | |
| Assault Violent | 139 | ▲ 39% | |
| Robbery Violent | 85 | ▼ 15% | |
| Burglary Property | 108 | ▲ 8% | |
| Larceny / Theft Property | 123 | ▲ 23% | |
| Vehicle Theft Property | 128 | ▲ 28% |
Violent vs Property Crime
Neighborhood Safety Distribution
All Boston Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Longwood Medical Area | A | 35 |
| 2 | North End | A | 140 |
| 3 | Beacon Hill | A | 127 |
| 4 | Seaport | A | 142 |
| 5 | Waterfront | A | 157 |
| 6 | South Station | A- | 124 |
| 7 | Back Bay | A- | 144 |
| 8 | Leather District | A- | 127 |
| 9 | Fenway / Kenmore | A- | 109 |
| 10 | West End | A- | 125 |
| 11 | Downtown | B+ | 141 |
| 12 | Bay Village | B+ | 162 |
| 13 | South End | B | 137 |
| 14 | Boston Common / Park Square | B- | 163 |
| 15 | Chinatown | C | 154 |
Boston Crime by Zip Code
02113
A
Index: 143
02210
A
Index: 134
02108
A
Index: 129
02109
A
Index: 141
02203
A
Index: 87
02201
A
Index: 87
02199
A
Index: 183
02110
A
Index: 163
02114
A
Index: 128
02116
A-
Index: 142
02222
A-
Index: 79
02115
B+
Index: 111
02215
B+
Index: 99
02163
B+
Index: 107
02118
B
Index: 136
02111
C+
Index: 145
Boston Demographics & Cost of Living
Population
4,465,970
Median Income
$76,298
Home Value
$581,283
Median Rent
$1,685
Home Ownership
35%
Racial Demographics
White
64.7%
Black
9.3%
Hispanic
10.5%
Asian
18.4%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Boston?
Boston has an overall crime index of 132, which is above the national average of 100. Approximately 93% of neighborhoods in Boston are rated A or B for safety.
Is Boston safe to live in?
Boston has a crime safety grade of C-. High crime rate. Safety varies significantly by neighborhood, so it is important to research specific areas before moving.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Boston?
The safest neighborhoods in Boston based on crime data include Longwood Medical Area, North End, Beacon Hill, Seaport, and Waterfront. These areas have the lowest crime indices in the city.
How does Boston crime compare to the national average?
Boston's overall crime index is 132 compared to the national average of 100, meaning crime is 32% higher than the typical US city.
Crime Statistics for Nearby Cities
Boston, MA
Cambridge, MA
Lowell, MA
Brockton, MA
Quincy, MA
Lynn, MA
Newton, MA
Somerville, MA
Lawrence, MA
Framingham, MA
Waltham, MA
Malden, MA
Brookline, MA
Medford, MA
Taunton, MA
Weymouth, MA
Revere, MA
Peabody, MA
Methuen Town, MA
Everett, MA
Arlington, MA
Attleboro, MA
Salem, MA
Billerica, MA
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