Is Boston or Lawrence Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lawrence is safer than Boston (Safety Score 59/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 46% lower. Boston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lawrence has a 58% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 7.4x 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
Lawrence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Lawrence, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Lawrence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 1,438.6 | +1,211.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 439.7 | +188.3 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 7.8 | -4.2 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 31.3 | -5.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 52.5 | +73.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 348.2 | +124.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 998.9 | +1,022.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 72.5 | +105.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 851.6 | +835.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 74.8 | +81.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Lawrence safer?
Lawrence is safer with a total crime rate of 1,439 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Lawrence has 439.7. Lawrence 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 Lawrence, MA
Lawrence, a Merrimack Valley city, was once a thriving textile hub, home to the historic Bread and Roses Strike. Today, it is a diverse community with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 59/100 and a population coverage of 89,600, Lawrence has a total crime rate of 1,438.6 per 100,000 residents.