Is Boston or Ipswich Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ipswich is safer than Boston (Safety Score 95/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 408 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 85% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ipswich has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 46.4x 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
Ipswich — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Ipswich, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Ipswich | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 408.0 | +2,241.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 133.7 | +494.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 7.0 | +18.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 0.0 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 126.6 | +345.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 274.4 | +1,747.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 42.2 | +135.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 211.0 | +1,476.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 21.1 | +135.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Ipswich safer?
Ipswich is safer with a total crime rate of 408 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Ipswich has 133.7. Ipswich 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 Ipswich, MA
Ipswich, Massachusetts, a coastal town north of Boston, boasts more First Period homes than any other U.S. community. Its population of around 14,000 enjoys a mix of historic charm and natural beauty. With a safety score of 95/100 and a population coverage of 14,215, Ipswich has a total crime rate of 408.0 per 100,000 residents.