Is Boston or Fall River Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fall River is safer than Boston (Safety Score 37/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,137 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 19% lower. Boston has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Fall River has a 31% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 6.9x 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
Fall River — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Fall River, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Fall River | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 2,136.6 | +513.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 745.0 | -117.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 3.1 | +0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 60.7 | -35.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 100.5 | +25.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 578.6 | -106.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 1,391.6 | +630.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 231.2 | -53.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 996.1 | +691.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 164.3 | -7.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Fall River safer?
Fall River is safer with a total crime rate of 2,137 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Fall River has 745.0. 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 Fall River, MA
Fall River, site of the infamous Lizzie Borden case, is a South Coast Massachusetts city nestled along the Taunton River. Once a major textile center, its population is now largely working-class, with a significant Portuguese heritage. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 95,573, Fall River has a total crime rate of 2,136.6 per 100,000 residents.