Is Boston or Northboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Northboro is safer than Boston (Safety Score 99/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 200 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 92% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Northboro has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 41.3x 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
Northboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Northboro, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Northboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 200.3 | +2,449.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 12.5 | +615.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 0.0 | +25.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 0.0 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 12.5 | +459.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 187.8 | +1,833.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 12.5 | +165.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 175.3 | +1,512.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 0.0 | +156.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Northboro safer?
Northboro is safer with a total crime rate of 200 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 92% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Northboro has 12.5. Northboro 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 Northboro, MA
Northborough, MA, a Middlesex County town, was once home to the first cotton mill in the state. Today, it's a growing suburban community with a median age of around 42. With a safety score of 99/100 and a population coverage of 15,975, Northboro has a total crime rate of 200.3 per 100,000 residents.