Is Boise or Lewiston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Boise is safer than Lewiston (Safety Score 60/100 vs 56/100), with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100,000 versus 1,504 for Lewiston — 7% lower. Boise has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lewiston has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boise is 6.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Boise — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lewiston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boise, ID
Lewiston, ID
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boise | Lewiston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,403.8 | 1,504.2 | -100.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 293.8 | 191.2 | +102.5 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 0.0 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 71.0 | 65.7 | +5.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.7 | 11.4 | +4.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 205.8 | 114.2 | +91.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,110.0 | 1,312.9 | -202.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 107.1 | 291.1 | -184.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 872.8 | 887.7 | -14.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 130.1 | 134.2 | -4.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boise or Lewiston safer?
Boise is safer with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100K vs 1,504 for Lewiston — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boise has a violent crime rate of 293.8 per 100K while Lewiston has 191.2. Lewiston has lower violent crime.
About Boise, ID
Boise, Idaho, known for the "Treefort Music Fest," sits along the Boise River at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. As the state capital, it's the largest city in Idaho, with a population exceeding 230,000. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 235,223, Boise has a total crime rate of 1,403.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Lewiston, ID
Lewiston, the "Gate City" at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, is the lowest elevation city in Idaho. It's home to Lewis-Clark State College, with a population around 35,000. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 35,036, Lewiston has a total crime rate of 1,504.2 per 100,000 residents.