Is Boston or Falmouth Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Falmouth is safer than Boston (Safety Score 69/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 1,125 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 58% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Falmouth has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 19.5x 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
Falmouth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Falmouth, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Falmouth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 1,124.7 | +1,525.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 283.4 | +344.7 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 59.0 | -33.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 5.9 | +120.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 218.4 | +253.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 841.3 | +1,180.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 165.3 | +12.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 640.6 | +1,046.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 35.4 | +121.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Falmouth safer?
Falmouth is safer with a total crime rate of 1,125 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 58% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Falmouth has 283.4. Falmouth 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 Falmouth, MA
Falmouth, MA, a Cape Cod town known for its historic Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, stretches along Buzzards Bay and Nantucket Sound. Its population of over 30,000 residents swells significantly during the summer months. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 33,877, Falmouth has a total crime rate of 1,124.7 per 100,000 residents.