Is Boston or Brookline Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Brookline is safer than Boston (Safety Score 74/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 995 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 62% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Brookline has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 10.3x 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
Brookline — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Brookline, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Brookline | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 995.0 | +1,654.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 99.8 | +528.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 4.7 | +21.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 15.6 | +110.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 79.5 | +392.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 895.2 | +1,126.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 85.8 | +91.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 784.4 | +903.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 25.0 | +131.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Brookline safer?
Brookline is safer with a total crime rate of 995 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Brookline has 99.8. Brookline 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 Brookline, MA
Brookline, Massachusetts, a town surrounded by Boston, is home to the historic Coolidge Corner Theatre. This affluent community, with a significant Jewish population, boasts tree-lined streets and a dense, educated populace. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 64,122, Brookline has a total crime rate of 995.0 per 100,000 residents.