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Boston, MA vs Dallas, TX Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Boston crime rate · Dallas crime rate

Moving from Boston, MA to Dallas, TX?

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Is Boston, MA or Dallas, TX Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Boston, MA is safer than Dallas, TX (Safety Score 25/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Dallas, TX — 34% lower. Boston has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Boston has a 73% lower rate.

Note: Dallas is 2.0x 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 SAFER than Boston, MA?

Boston — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Dallas — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Flat Property Flat Total

Boston, MA

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

Dallas, TX

Dallas, TX
Safety Score 8/100
Coverage 1,321,500
Total Crime Rate 4,012.3
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Boston Dallas Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,649.7 4,012.3 -1,362.6
Violent Crime Rate 628.0 660.5 -32.4
Murder Rate 3.6 13.6 -10.0
Rape Rate 25.6 35.9 -10.3
Robbery Rate 126.4 168.5 -42.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 472.2 440.1 +32.1
Property Crime Rate 2,021.7 3,351.9 -1,330.2
Burglary Rate 177.7 464.1 -286.4
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,687.4 1,787.3 -99.9
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 156.6 1,100.5 -943.9

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

Moving from Boston, MA to Dallas, TX?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston or Dallas safer?

Boston, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100K vs 4,012 for Dallas, TX — a 34% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Dallas has 660.5. Boston 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 Dallas, TX

Dallas, a major hub in North Texas, is known for its historic role in the oil industry and its sprawling urban landscape. The city boasts a diverse population exceeding 1.3 million within its city limits. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 1,321,500, Dallas has a total crime rate of 4,012.3 per 100,000 residents.

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