Is Arlington or Boston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Arlington is safer than Boston (Safety Score 92/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 490 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 82% lower. Arlington has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Arlington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 14.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Arlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Arlington, MA
Boston, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Arlington | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 489.8 | 2,649.7 | -2,159.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 55.4 | 628.0 | -572.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.6 | -3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 10.7 | 25.6 | -15.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 126.4 | -126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 44.7 | 472.2 | -427.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 434.5 | 2,021.7 | -1,587.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 59.6 | 177.7 | -118.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 338.6 | 1,687.4 | -1,348.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 36.2 | 156.6 | -120.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arlington or Boston safer?
Arlington is safer with a total crime rate of 490 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 82% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Arlington has a violent crime rate of 55.4 per 100K while Boston has 628.0. Arlington has lower violent crime.
About Arlington, MA
Arlington, MA, a historic suburb northwest of Boston, was once home to Uncle Sam. This densely populated town of over 46,000 residents features a mix of residential areas and commercial centers along Massachusetts Avenue. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 46,956, Arlington has a total crime rate of 489.8 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.