Is Boston or Oxford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oxford is safer than Boston (Safety Score 78/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 900 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 66% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Oxford has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 48.6x 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
Oxford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Oxford, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Oxford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 900.4 | +1,749.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 236.2 | +391.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 36.9 | -11.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 14.8 | +111.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 184.5 | +287.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 664.3 | +1,357.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 125.5 | +52.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 479.7 | +1,207.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 59.0 | +97.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Oxford safer?
Oxford is safer with a total crime rate of 900 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Oxford has 236.2. Oxford 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 Oxford, MA
Oxford, Massachusetts, birthplace of Clara Barton, is a small town in Worcester County. Situated along the French River, it's home to a population of around 14,000 residents. With a safety score of 78/100 and a population coverage of 13,549, Oxford has a total crime rate of 900.4 per 100,000 residents.