Is Bedford or Boston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bedford is safer than Boston (Safety Score 93/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 457 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 83% lower. Bedford has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bedford has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 45.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bedford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bedford, MA
Boston, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bedford | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 457.1 | 2,649.7 | -2,192.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 13.6 | 628.0 | -614.4 |
| Murder Rate | 13.6 | 3.6 | +10.0 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 25.6 | -25.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 126.4 | -126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 0.0 | 472.2 | -472.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 443.4 | 2,021.7 | -1,578.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 40.9 | 177.7 | -136.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 375.2 | 1,687.4 | -1,312.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.3 | 156.6 | -129.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bedford or Boston safer?
Bedford is safer with a total crime rate of 457 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bedford has a violent crime rate of 13.6 per 100K while Boston has 628.0. Bedford has lower violent crime.
About Bedford, MA
Bedford, MA, home to Hanscom Air Force Base and a significant tech industry presence, sits northwest of Boston. This Middlesex County town, a bedroom community, maintains a suburban character with a notable historical district. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 14,659, Bedford has a total crime rate of 457.1 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.