Moving from Boston, MA to Reading, MA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Boston, MA or Reading, MA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Reading, MA is safer than Boston, MA (Safety Score 90/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 572 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston, MA — 78% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Reading has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 25.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Boston, MA?
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Reading — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Reading, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Reading | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 572.1 | +2,077.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 38.7 | +589.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 15.5 | +10.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 0.0 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 23.2 | +449.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 533.4 | +1,488.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 77.3 | +100.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 436.8 | +1,250.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 19.3 | +137.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Boston, MA to Reading, MA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Reading safer?
Reading, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 572 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston, MA — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Reading has 38.7. Reading 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 Reading, MA
Reading, a Middlesex County town north of Boston, boasts a rich history, including the Parker Tavern, one of the oldest buildings in the US. With a population exceeding 25,000, it's a commuter-friendly community. With a safety score of 90/100 and a population coverage of 25,871, Reading has a total crime rate of 572.1 per 100,000 residents.