Is Boston or Pittsfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Pittsfield is safer than Boston (Safety Score 48/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 1,751 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 34% lower. Boston has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Pittsfield has a 78% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 15.4x 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
Pittsfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Pittsfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Pittsfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 1,750.9 | +898.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 511.3 | +116.8 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 4.7 | -1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 98.1 | -72.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 28.0 | +98.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 380.5 | +91.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 1,239.6 | +782.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 385.2 | -207.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 756.4 | +931.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 98.1 | +58.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Pittsfield safer?
Pittsfield is safer with a total crime rate of 1,751 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Pittsfield has 511.3. Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield, MA
Pittsfield, nestled in the Berkshire Mountains, is the county seat of Berkshire County. Herman Melville wrote "Moby Dick" here. Its population is approximately 42,000. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 42,835, Pittsfield has a total crime rate of 1,750.9 per 100,000 residents.