Is Boston or Lexington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lexington is safer than Boston (Safety Score 96/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 387 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 Lexington has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 19.2x 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
Lexington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Lexington, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Lexington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 387.2 | +2,262.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 52.4 | +575.6 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 8.7 | +16.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 2.9 | +123.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 40.8 | +431.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 334.8 | +1,686.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 52.4 | +125.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 273.7 | +1,413.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 8.7 | +147.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Lexington safer?
Lexington is safer with a total crime rate of 387 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 Lexington has 52.4. Lexington 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 Lexington, MA
Lexington, MA, a town of approximately 34,000 residents, is famously where the first shots of the American Revolutionary War were fired. Located in Middlesex County, it's a affluent suburban community northwest of Boston. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 34,350, Lexington has a total crime rate of 387.2 per 100,000 residents.