Is Boston or Gloucester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gloucester is safer than Boston (Safety Score 80/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 830 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 69% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gloucester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 21.5x 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
Gloucester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Gloucester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Gloucester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 830.1 | +1,819.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 277.8 | +350.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 36.0 | -10.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 3.3 | +123.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 238.6 | +233.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 552.3 | +1,469.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 98.0 | +79.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 415.1 | +1,272.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 39.2 | +117.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Gloucester safer?
Gloucester is safer with a total crime rate of 830 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Gloucester has 277.8. Gloucester 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 Gloucester, MA
Gloucester, Massachusetts, a historic fishing port on Cape Ann, is home to the iconic "Man at the Wheel" statue. This city of roughly 30,000 residents boasts a significant Portuguese-American population. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 30,599, Gloucester has a total crime rate of 830.1 per 100,000 residents.