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Boston, MA vs Medford, MA Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Boston crime rate · Medford crime rate

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Is Boston, MA or Medford, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Medford, MA is safer than Boston, MA (Safety Score 61/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 1,379 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston, MA — 48% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Medford has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Boston is 11.1x 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

Medford — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Boston, MA

Boston, MA
Safety Score 25/100
Coverage 659,049
Total Crime Rate 2,649.7
Category Wins 0/7

Medford, MA

Medford, MA
Safety Score 61/100
Coverage 59,601
Total Crime Rate 1,379.2
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Boston Medford Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,649.7 1,379.2 +1,270.6
Violent Crime Rate 628.0 179.5 +448.5
Murder Rate 3.6 0.0 +3.6
Rape Rate 25.6 21.8 +3.8
Robbery Rate 126.4 23.5 +102.9
Aggravated Assault Rate 472.2 134.2 +338.0
Property Crime Rate 2,021.7 1,199.6 +822.1
Burglary Rate 177.7 77.2 +100.5
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,687.4 1,006.7 +680.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 156.6 115.8 +40.8

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

Moving from Boston, MA to Medford, MA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston or Medford safer?

Medford, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,379 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston, MA — a 48% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Medford has 179.5. Medford 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 Medford, MA

Medford, home to Tufts University, is a historic city just north of Boston. Situated along the Mystic River, it's a densely populated community with a rich past, including its shipbuilding heritage. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 59,601, Medford has a total crime rate of 1,379.2 per 100,000 residents.

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