Is Boston or Rockland Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Rockland is safer than Boston (Safety Score 86/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 677 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 74% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Rockland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 36.9x 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
Rockland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Rockland, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Rockland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 677.4 | +1,972.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 263.1 | +364.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 44.8 | -19.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 5.6 | +120.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 212.7 | +259.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 414.3 | +1,607.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 28.0 | +149.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 274.3 | +1,413.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 112.0 | +44.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Rockland safer?
Rockland is safer with a total crime rate of 677 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Rockland has 263.1. Rockland 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 Rockland, MA
Rockland, Massachusetts, once home to a thriving shoe industry, is a primarily residential town in Plymouth County. It is situated roughly 20 miles south of Boston. With a safety score of 86/100 and a population coverage of 17,863, Rockland has a total crime rate of 677.4 per 100,000 residents.