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Boston, MA vs Lowell, MA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Boston crime rate · Lowell crime rate

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Is Boston, MA or Lowell, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lowell, MA is safer than Boston, MA (Safety Score 35/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,195 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston, MA — 17% lower. Boston has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lowell has a 55% lower rate.

Note: Boston is 5.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Boston, MA?

Boston — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Lowell — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Boston, MA

Boston, MA
Safety Score 25/100
Coverage 659,049
Total Crime Rate 2,649.7
Category Wins 2/7

Lowell, MA

Lowell, MA
Safety Score 35/100
Coverage 116,062
Total Crime Rate 2,195.4
Category Wins 5/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Boston Lowell Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,649.7 2,195.4 +454.4
Violent Crime Rate 628.0 532.5 +95.6
Murder Rate 3.6 4.3 -0.7
Rape Rate 25.6 6.9 +18.8
Robbery Rate 126.4 56.9 +69.5
Aggravated Assault Rate 472.2 464.4 +7.8
Property Crime Rate 2,021.7 1,662.9 +358.8
Burglary Rate 177.7 149.9 +27.8
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,687.4 1,309.6 +377.8
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 156.6 203.3 -46.8

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Boston, MA to Lowell, MA?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston or Lowell safer?

Lowell, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 2,195 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston, MA — a 17% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Lowell has 532.5. Lowell 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 Lowell, MA

Lowell, a historic mill city on the Merrimack River, was a birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Its diverse population includes a significant Cambodian American community. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 116,062, Lowell has a total crime rate of 2,195.4 per 100,000 residents.

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