Back Bay Neighborhood, Boston

Last updated: October 17, 2026

Crime Rate & Statistics

A-

Safe neighborhood — below-average crime across most categories

Safer than 53% of neighborhoods in Boston

Summary: Back Bay, Boston Crime Rate (2026)

Back Bay, Boston, MA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is 44% above the national average.

Data source: FBI UCR & local law enforcement data. Last updated: October 17, 2026.

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime Moderate
Low 144 / 300 High
Violent Crime 118
18% above national avg
Property Crime 133
33% above national avg
City Ranking
53%
safer than other
Boston neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in Boston

Is Back Bay Safe?

Mixed — the grade is relative to other neighborhoods, but crime is above the national average. Back Bay in Boston, MA has a safety grade of A-. The overall crime index is 144, which is 44% above the national average of 100. Back Bay is safer than 53% of neighborhoods in Boston.

Compared to the Boston average (crime index 132), Back Bay is 12% higher in overall crime.

Looking at specific crime types, assault is the most elevated concern (index: 152, 52% above average), while rape is the lowest risk (index: 86).

Highest Risk
Assault · Index 152 (52% above avg)
Lowest Risk
Rape · Index 86 (14% below avg)

Back Bay Crime Breakdown

Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Boston city average. Higher values mean more crime.

Crime Type Index vs National Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder
129 +29% Moderate
Assault
152 +52% High
Robbery
106 +6% Moderate
Rape
86 -14% Average
Property Crime
Burglary
126 +26% Moderate
Larceny / Theft
138 +38% Moderate
Vehicle Theft
134 +34% Moderate

How Back Bay Compares

Crime index by category: Back Bay vs Boston average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Back Bay Crime Map

Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.

Full Screen Map
Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Back Bay Demographics & Context

Population
21,060
Median Income
$114,597
Home Value
$1,876,350
Median Age
34
Pop. Density
32,662/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 37.8%
Graduate Degree 47.1%

Housing

33%
67%
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 76.7%
Black 5.3%
Hispanic 6.8%
Asian 13.1%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Bay Village Index: 162
B+
Boston Common / Park Square Index: 163
B-
South End Index: 137
B
Fenway / Kenmore Index: 109
A-
Beacon Hill Index: 127
A
Chinatown Index: 154
C
Leather District Index: 127
A-
South Station Index: 124
A-
Back Bay Crime Map
Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood
Boston Crime Statistics
View all Boston neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Back Bay, Boston?

Back Bay in Boston, MA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime index is 144, which is 44% above the national average. Compared to the Boston average, crime in Back Bay is 12% higher. Back Bay is safer than 53% of neighborhoods in Boston.

Is Back Bay a safe neighborhood in Boston?

Back Bay has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of A-. Extra caution is recommended, especially at night. The highest concern is Assault (index: 152), while Rape is the lowest risk (index: 86).

How does Back Bay compare to the rest of Boston?

Back Bay's overall crime index is 144, compared to the Boston average of 132. This means crime in Back Bay is 12% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 118, and for property crime it is 133. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.

What type of crime is most common in Back Bay?

The most common crime type in Back Bay is Assault, with a crime index of 152 (52% above the national average). Overall, property crime is more common than violent crime in this neighborhood, which is consistent with national trends.

What are safer neighborhoods near Back Bay?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Bay Village, Boston Common / Park Square, South End and Fenway / Kenmore. These areas are close to Back Bay and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Back Bay?

Back Bay has a population of approximately 21,060. The median household income is $114,597. The median home value is $1,876,350. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Back Bay crime compare to the national average?

Back Bay's overall crime rate is 44% above the national average (index 144 vs 100). Within Boston, it is safer than 53% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.

Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated October 2026.