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Boston, MA vs Burlington, MA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Boston crime rate · Burlington crime rate

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Is Boston, MA or Burlington, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Burlington, MA is safer than Boston, MA (Safety Score 44/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 1,888 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston, MA — 29% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Burlington has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Boston is 24.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Boston, MA?

Boston — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Burlington — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Boston, MA

Boston, MA
Safety Score 25/100
Coverage 659,049
Total Crime Rate 2,649.7
Category Wins 0/7

Burlington, MA

Burlington, MA
Safety Score 44/100
Coverage 27,124
Total Crime Rate 1,887.6
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Boston Burlington Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,649.7 1,887.6 +762.1
Violent Crime Rate 628.0 224.9 +403.1
Murder Rate 3.6 0.0 +3.6
Rape Rate 25.6 22.1 +3.5
Robbery Rate 126.4 14.8 +111.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 472.2 188.0 +284.2
Property Crime Rate 2,021.7 1,662.7 +359.0
Burglary Rate 177.7 95.9 +81.8
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,687.4 1,519.0 +168.5
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 156.6 47.9 +108.7

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Boston, MA to Burlington, MA?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston or Burlington safer?

Burlington, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,888 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston, MA — a 29% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Burlington has 224.9. Burlington 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 Burlington, MA

Burlington, MA, a Middlesex County suburb, is known for its robust tech industry and the Burlington Mall. It was incorporated in 1799, separating from Woburn, and is home to a diverse, affluent population. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 27,124, Burlington has a total crime rate of 1,887.6 per 100,000 residents.

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