Is Boston or Northbridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Northbridge is safer than Boston (Safety Score 95/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 404 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 85% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Northbridge has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 39.2x 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
Northbridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Northbridge, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Northbridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 404.5 | +2,245.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 71.4 | +556.7 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 11.9 | +13.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 6.0 | +120.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 53.5 | +418.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 333.1 | +1,688.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 59.5 | +118.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 267.7 | +1,419.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 6.0 | +150.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Northbridge safer?
Northbridge is safer with a total crime rate of 404 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Northbridge has 71.4. Northbridge 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 Northbridge, MA
Northbridge, a central Massachusetts town, is home to the historic Linwood Mill. Its population of around 16,000 residents is spread across its villages, including Whitinsville. With a safety score of 95/100 and a population coverage of 16,813, Northbridge has a total crime rate of 404.5 per 100,000 residents.