Is Boston or Fairhaven Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fairhaven is safer than Boston (Safety Score 83/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 748 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 72% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fairhaven has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 40.8x 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
Fairhaven — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Fairhaven, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Fairhaven | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 748.4 | +1,901.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 154.6 | +473.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 12.4 | +13.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 12.4 | +114.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 129.9 | +342.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 593.8 | +1,427.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 12.4 | +165.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 494.8 | +1,192.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 86.6 | +70.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Fairhaven safer?
Fairhaven is safer with a total crime rate of 748 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Fairhaven has 154.6. Fairhaven 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 Fairhaven, MA
Fairhaven, Massachusetts, a coastal town on Buzzards Bay, was home to Henry Huttleston Rogers, a Standard Oil magnate and philanthropist. Its population is approximately 16,000 residents. With a safety score of 83/100 and a population coverage of 16,167, Fairhaven has a total crime rate of 748.4 per 100,000 residents.