Is Andover or Boston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Andover is safer than Boston (Safety Score 79/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 872 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 67% lower. Andover has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Andover has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 17.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Andover — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Andover, MA
Boston, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Andover | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 872.1 | 2,649.7 | -1,777.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 94.2 | 628.0 | -533.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.6 | -3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 8.1 | 25.6 | -17.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 2.7 | 126.4 | -123.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 83.4 | 472.2 | -388.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 777.9 | 2,021.7 | -1,243.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 169.6 | 177.7 | -8.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 578.7 | 1,687.4 | -1,108.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 29.6 | 156.6 | -127.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Andover or Boston safer?
Andover is safer with a total crime rate of 872 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Andover has a violent crime rate of 94.2 per 100K while Boston has 628.0. Andover has lower violent crime.
About Andover, MA
Andover, a historic town in Essex County, is home to Phillips Academy, founded in 1778. This affluent community, part of the Merrimack Valley, sits roughly 23 miles north of Boston. With a safety score of 79/100 and a population coverage of 37,152, Andover has a total crime rate of 872.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Boston, MA
Boston, a city steeped in American Revolution history, sits on Massachusetts Bay. This densely populated urban center is home to a diverse population and numerous universities. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 659,049, Boston has a total crime rate of 2,649.7 per 100,000 residents.