Is Boston or Franklin Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Franklin is safer than Boston (Safety Score 96/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 383 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 86% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Franklin 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
Franklin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Franklin, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Franklin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 382.6 | +2,267.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 94.9 | +533.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 3.0 | +22.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 3.0 | +123.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 89.0 | +383.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 287.7 | +1,734.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 41.5 | +136.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 213.6 | +1,473.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 32.6 | +124.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Franklin safer?
Franklin is safer with a total crime rate of 383 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 86% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Franklin has 94.9. Franklin 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 Franklin, MA
Franklin, Massachusetts, birthplace of Horace Mann, is a suburban town in Norfolk County with a population of over 33,000. It's home to the nation's first public library, established with a donation from Benjamin Franklin. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 33,716, Franklin has a total crime rate of 382.6 per 100,000 residents.