Is Boston or Shrewsbury Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Shrewsbury is safer than Boston (Safety Score 86/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 673 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 75% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Shrewsbury has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 16.5x 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
Shrewsbury — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Shrewsbury, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Shrewsbury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 672.7 | +1,977.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 30.1 | +597.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 2.5 | +23.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 2.5 | +123.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 25.1 | +447.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 642.6 | +1,379.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 50.2 | +127.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 572.3 | +1,115.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 20.1 | +136.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Shrewsbury safer?
Shrewsbury is safer with a total crime rate of 673 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Shrewsbury has 30.1. Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury, MA
Shrewsbury, MA, founded in 1727, is a suburban town in Worcester County. It's known as the birthplace of inventor Elijah White and borders Lake Quinsigamond. With a safety score of 86/100 and a population coverage of 39,837, Shrewsbury has a total crime rate of 672.7 per 100,000 residents.