Moving from Boston, MA to New Bedford, 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.
Is Boston or New Bedford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, New Bedford is safer than Boston (Safety Score 49/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 1,712 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 35% lower. Boston has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Boston has a 47% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 6.4x 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
Violent
Property
Total
New Bedford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
New Bedford, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | New Bedford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 1,712.4 | +937.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 353.2 | +274.8 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 6.8 | -3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 43.9 | -18.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 78.1 | +48.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 224.4 | +247.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 1,359.1 | +662.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 184.4 | -6.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 930.8 | +756.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 243.9 | -87.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Boston, MA to New Bedford, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or New Bedford safer?
New Bedford is safer with a total crime rate of 1,712 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while New Bedford has 353.2. New Bedford 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 New Bedford, MA
New Bedford, once the whaling capital of the world, is a coastal city in southeastern Massachusetts. Its diverse population includes a significant Portuguese American community, contributing to its vibrant cultural fabric and local economy. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 102,491, New Bedford has a total crime rate of 1,712.4 per 100,000 residents.