Is Boston or Pembroke Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pembroke is safer than Boston (Safety Score 94/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 446 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 83% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pembroke has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 35.4x 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
Pembroke — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Pembroke, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Pembroke | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 446.0 | +2,203.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 91.4 | +536.7 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 32.2 | -6.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 5.4 | +121.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 53.7 | +418.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 354.7 | +1,667.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 43.0 | +134.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 274.1 | +1,413.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 37.6 | +119.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Pembroke safer?
Pembroke is safer with a total crime rate of 446 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Pembroke has 91.4. Pembroke 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 Pembroke, MA
Pembroke, Massachusetts, a South Shore town incorporated in 1712, is home to numerous ponds and the North River. Its population of about 18,000 residents enjoys a suburban character. With a safety score of 94/100 and a population coverage of 18,610, Pembroke has a total crime rate of 446.0 per 100,000 residents.