Is Boston or Norton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Norton is safer than Boston (Safety Score 99/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 236 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 91% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Norton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 33.8x 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
Norton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Norton, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Norton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 236.1 | +2,413.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 159.1 | +468.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 41.1 | -15.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 10.3 | +116.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 107.8 | +364.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 77.0 | +1,944.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 20.5 | +157.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 41.1 | +1,646.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 15.4 | +141.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Norton safer?
Norton is safer with a total crime rate of 236 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 91% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Norton has 159.1. Norton 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 Norton, MA
Norton, MA, a rural town in Bristol County, is home to Wheaton College, founded in 1834. Its population is predominantly white, with a median age of 41. With a safety score of 99/100 and a population coverage of 19,484, Norton has a total crime rate of 236.1 per 100,000 residents.