Is Boston or Norwood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Norwood is safer than Boston (Safety Score 79/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 880 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 67% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Norwood has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 20.8x 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
Norwood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Norwood, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Norwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 880.0 | +1,769.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 167.2 | +460.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 3.2 | +22.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 9.5 | +116.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 154.6 | +317.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 712.8 | +1,308.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 53.6 | +124.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 545.7 | +1,141.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 113.6 | +43.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Norwood safer?
Norwood is safer with a total crime rate of 880 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Norwood has 167.2. Norwood 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 Norwood, MA
Norwood, a Middlesex County town, is home to the historic Norwood Theatre. This suburban community, once a hub for printing, lies just southwest of Boston. With a safety score of 79/100 and a population coverage of 31,704, Norwood has a total crime rate of 880.0 per 100,000 residents.