Is Boston or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Boston is safer than New York City (Safety Score 25/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100,000 versus 3,040 for New York City — 13% lower. Boston has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Boston has a 33% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 12.6x 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
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 3,039.7 | -390.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 671.4 | -43.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 3.9 | -0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 23.4 | +2.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 187.5 | -61.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 456.2 | +16.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 2,368.3 | -346.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 154.7 | +22.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 2,015.0 | -327.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 198.5 | -42.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or New York City safer?
Boston is safer with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100K vs 3,040 for New York City — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Boston 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 York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.