Is Boston or Leicester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Leicester is safer than Boston (Safety Score 75/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 976 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 63% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Leicester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 58.5x 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
Leicester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Leicester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Leicester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 975.6 | +1,674.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 310.4 | +317.6 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 26.6 | -1.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 8.9 | +117.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 274.9 | +197.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 665.2 | +1,356.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 79.8 | +97.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 558.8 | +1,128.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 26.6 | +130.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Leicester safer?
Leicester is safer with a total crime rate of 976 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Leicester has 310.4. Leicester 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 Leicester, MA
Leicester, Massachusetts, home to Becker College until its 2021 closure, is a small town in Worcester County. Its rural character is reflected in its numerous ponds and woodlands. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 11,275, Leicester has a total crime rate of 975.6 per 100,000 residents.