Is Boston or Groton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Groton is safer than Boston (Safety Score 99/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 235 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 91% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Groton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 57.4x 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
Groton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Groton, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Groton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 235.1 | +2,414.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 43.5 | +584.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 8.7 | +16.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 0.0 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 34.8 | +437.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 191.5 | +1,830.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 60.9 | +116.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 121.9 | +1,565.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 8.7 | +147.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Groton safer?
Groton is safer with a total crime rate of 235 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 91% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Groton has 43.5. Groton 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 Groton, MA
Groton, Massachusetts, a town incorporated in 1655, is home to the prestigious Groton School. Situated in northern Middlesex County, it features a rural landscape with a population of around 11,000 residents. With a safety score of 99/100 and a population coverage of 11,487, Groton has a total crime rate of 235.1 per 100,000 residents.