Is Boston or Bridgewater Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bridgewater is safer than Boston (Safety Score 98/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 275 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 90% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bridgewater has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 22.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bridgewater — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Bridgewater, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Bridgewater | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 274.9 | +2,374.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 74.7 | +553.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 10.2 | +15.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 0.0 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 64.5 | +407.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 200.2 | +1,821.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 13.6 | +164.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 112.0 | +1,575.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 74.7 | +81.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Bridgewater safer?
Bridgewater is safer with a total crime rate of 275 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 90% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Bridgewater has 74.7. Bridgewater has lower violent crime.
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.
About Bridgewater, MA
Bridgewater, home to a state university established in 1840, is a town in Plymouth County. It features a diverse population and a mix of suburban and rural landscapes. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 29,465, Bridgewater has a total crime rate of 274.9 per 100,000 residents.