Is Boston or Haverhill Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Haverhill is safer than Boston (Safety Score 62/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 1,335 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 50% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Haverhill has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 9.6x 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
Haverhill — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Haverhill, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Haverhill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 1,335.2 | +1,314.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 411.1 | +217.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 10.2 | +15.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 13.1 | +113.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 387.7 | +84.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 924.2 | +1,097.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 116.6 | +61.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 762.4 | +925.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 45.2 | +111.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Haverhill safer?
Haverhill is safer with a total crime rate of 1,335 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Haverhill has 411.1. Haverhill 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 Haverhill, MA
Haverhill, a city on the Merrimack River, was once a prominent shoe manufacturing hub. This diverse community of over 67,000 residents reflects a rich industrial past and an evolving demographic present. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 68,602, Haverhill has a total crime rate of 1,335.2 per 100,000 residents.