Is Boston or Harwich Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Harwich is safer than Boston (Safety Score 88/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 625 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 76% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Harwich has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 47.4x 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
Harwich — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Harwich, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Harwich | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 625.5 | +2,024.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 107.8 | +520.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 14.4 | +11.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 0.0 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 93.5 | +378.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 517.6 | +1,504.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 86.3 | +91.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 417.0 | +1,270.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 14.4 | +142.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Harwich safer?
Harwich is safer with a total crime rate of 625 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Harwich has 107.8. Harwich 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 Harwich, MA
Harwich, a picturesque Cape Cod town, is renowned for its cranberries and the historic Harwich Junior Theatre. Its population swells significantly during the summer months due to tourism. With a safety score of 88/100 and a population coverage of 13,910, Harwich has a total crime rate of 625.5 per 100,000 residents.