Is Boston or Columbus Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Boston is safer than Columbus (Safety Score 25/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100,000 versus 3,088 for Columbus — 14% lower. Boston has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Boston has a 70% lower rate.
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Columbus — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Columbus, OH
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 3,088.3 | -438.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 435.0 | +193.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 12.2 | -8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 124.2 | -98.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 87.7 | +38.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 210.7 | +261.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 2,653.4 | -631.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 404.5 | -226.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 1,706.1 | -18.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 542.8 | -386.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Columbus safer?
Boston is safer with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100K vs 3,088 for Columbus — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Columbus has 435.0. Columbus 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 Columbus, OH
Columbus, Ohio, the state capital, sits at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers. Home to The Ohio State University, it's a diverse city with a growing population of over 900,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 915,447, Columbus has a total crime rate of 3,088.3 per 100,000 residents.