Moving from Boston, MA to Northampton, 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 Northampton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Northampton is safer than Boston (Safety Score 49/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 1,717 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 35% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Northampton has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 21.9x 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
Northampton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Northampton, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Northampton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 1,717.2 | +932.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 445.1 | +183.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 3.3 | +0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 63.1 | -37.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 13.3 | +113.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 365.4 | +106.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 1,272.1 | +749.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 162.8 | +14.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 1,069.5 | +618.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 39.9 | +116.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Boston, MA to Northampton, 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 Northampton safer?
Northampton is safer with a total crime rate of 1,717 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 Northampton has 445.1. Northampton 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 Northampton, MA
Nestled in the Pioneer Valley, Northampton, MA, a vibrant college town home to Smith College, boasts a progressive culture and a high proportion of residents with advanced degrees. Its historic downtown is a hub for independent businesses and the arts. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 30,108, Northampton has a total crime rate of 1,717.2 per 100,000 residents.