Is Boston or Somerset Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Somerset is safer than Boston (Safety Score 85/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 718 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 73% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Somerset has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 35.6x 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
Somerset — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Somerset, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Somerset | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 718.0 | +1,931.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 151.2 | +476.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 27.0 | -1.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 0.0 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 124.2 | +348.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 566.8 | +1,454.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 81.0 | +96.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 426.5 | +1,261.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 59.4 | +97.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Somerset safer?
Somerset is safer with a total crime rate of 718 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Somerset has 151.2. Somerset 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 Somerset, MA
Somerset, MA, a coastal town on Mount Hope Bay, was a shipbuilding center in the 1800s. Its population of roughly 18,000 residents enjoys a suburban landscape with a rich maritime heritage. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 18,524, Somerset has a total crime rate of 718.0 per 100,000 residents.