Is Boston or Palmer Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palmer is safer than Boston (Safety Score 76/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 949 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 64% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Palmer has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 52.6x 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
Palmer — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Palmer, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Palmer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 949.4 | +1,700.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 375.0 | +253.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 31.9 | -6.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 0.0 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 343.1 | +129.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 574.4 | +1,447.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 119.7 | +58.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 375.0 | +1,312.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 79.8 | +76.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Palmer safer?
Palmer is safer with a total crime rate of 949 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Palmer has 375.0. Palmer 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 Palmer, MA
Palmer, Massachusetts, a rural town in Hampden County, is known for its "Four Corners" where four distinct villages meet. Historically, it was a significant railroad hub, once home to a major roundhouse and repair shop. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 12,534, Palmer has a total crime rate of 949.4 per 100,000 residents.