Is Boston or Newton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newton is safer than Boston (Safety Score 87/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 648 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 76% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Newton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 7.3x 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
Newton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Newton, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Newton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 648.3 | +2,001.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 48.9 | +579.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 10.0 | +15.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 1.1 | +125.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 37.8 | +434.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 599.3 | +1,422.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 63.4 | +114.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 501.5 | +1,186.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 34.5 | +122.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Newton safer?
Newton is safer with a total crime rate of 648 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Newton has 48.9. Newton 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 Newton, MA
Newton, a suburban city in Middlesex County, is home to Boston College. Known for its distinct "villages," it's one of Massachusetts' wealthiest communities. With a safety score of 87/100 and a population coverage of 89,935, Newton has a total crime rate of 648.3 per 100,000 residents.