Is Boston or South Hadley Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, South Hadley is safer than Boston (Safety Score 78/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 907 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 66% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where South Hadley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 35.4x 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
South Hadley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
South Hadley, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | South Hadley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 907.3 | +1,742.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 193.3 | +434.8 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 5.4 | +20.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 5.4 | +121.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 182.5 | +289.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 714.0 | +1,307.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 112.7 | +64.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 553.0 | +1,134.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 48.3 | +108.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or South Hadley safer?
South Hadley is safer with a total crime rate of 907 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while South Hadley has 193.3. South Hadley 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 South Hadley, MA
South Hadley, home to Mount Holyoke College, is a picturesque town in Hampshire County. Situated along the Connecticut River, its population is around 18,000. With a safety score of 78/100 and a population coverage of 18,627, South Hadley has a total crime rate of 907.3 per 100,000 residents.