Is Boston or Newburyport Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newburyport is safer than Boston (Safety Score 94/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 442 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 83% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Newburyport has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 34.3x 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
Newburyport — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Newburyport, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Newburyport | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 442.0 | +2,207.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 46.8 | +581.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 20.8 | +4.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 0.0 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 26.0 | +446.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 395.2 | +1,626.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 20.8 | +156.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 348.4 | +1,339.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 26.0 | +130.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Newburyport safer?
Newburyport is safer with a total crime rate of 442 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Newburyport has 46.8. Newburyport 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 Newburyport, MA
Newburyport, a historic coastal city in Essex County, was a major shipbuilding center. Its downtown features Federal-style architecture and a bustling waterfront on the Merrimack River. With a safety score of 94/100 and a population coverage of 19,232, Newburyport has a total crime rate of 442.0 per 100,000 residents.