Is Barnstable or Boston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Barnstable is safer than Boston (Safety Score 66/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 1,196 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 55% lower. Barnstable has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Barnstable has a 86% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 12.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Barnstable — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Barnstable, MA
Boston, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Barnstable | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,195.8 | 2,649.7 | -1,453.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 410.4 | 628.0 | -217.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 3.6 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 64.8 | 25.6 | +39.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.7 | 126.4 | -108.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 326.0 | 472.2 | -146.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 785.4 | 2,021.7 | -1,236.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 131.6 | 177.7 | -46.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 581.2 | 1,687.4 | -1,106.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 72.7 | 156.6 | -83.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barnstable or Boston safer?
Barnstable is safer with a total crime rate of 1,196 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Barnstable has a violent crime rate of 410.4 per 100K while Boston has 628.0. Barnstable has lower violent crime.
About Barnstable, MA
Barnstable, the largest community on Cape Cod, is a historic town of villages including Hyannis, a major transportation hub. Its population of over 45,000 makes it the most populous municipality in Barnstable County. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 50,928, Barnstable has a total crime rate of 1,195.8 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.