Is Boston or Fitchburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Fitchburg is safer than Boston (Safety Score 46/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 1,831 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 31% lower. Boston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Fitchburg has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 15.6x 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
Fitchburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Fitchburg, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Fitchburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 1,830.8 | +819.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 486.6 | +141.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 2.4 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 40.2 | -14.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 35.4 | +91.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 408.7 | +63.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 1,344.1 | +677.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 271.7 | -94.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 952.0 | +735.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 120.5 | +36.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Fitchburg safer?
Fitchburg is safer with a total crime rate of 1,831 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Fitchburg has 486.6. Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg, MA
Fitchburg, a city in northern Worcester County, was a major mill town known for its paper industry. It sits along the Nashua River and has a diverse, working-class population. With a safety score of 46/100 and a population coverage of 42,332, Fitchburg has a total crime rate of 1,830.8 per 100,000 residents.