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Boston, MA vs Spencer, MA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Boston crime rate · Spencer crime rate

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Is Boston, MA or Spencer, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Spencer, MA is safer than Boston, MA (Safety Score 97/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 363 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston, MA — 86% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Spencer has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Boston is 54.3x 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

Flat Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Spencer — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Boston, MA

Boston, MA
Safety Score 25/100
Coverage 659,049
Total Crime Rate 2,649.7
Category Wins 0/7

Spencer, MA

Spencer, MA
Safety Score 97/100
Coverage 12,130
Total Crime Rate 362.7
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Boston Spencer Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,649.7 362.7 +2,287.0
Violent Crime Rate 628.0 82.4 +545.6
Murder Rate 3.6 0.0 +3.6
Rape Rate 25.6 0.0 +25.6
Robbery Rate 126.4 0.0 +126.4
Aggravated Assault Rate 472.2 82.4 +389.8
Property Crime Rate 2,021.7 280.3 +1,741.4
Burglary Rate 177.7 24.7 +153.0
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,687.4 181.4 +1,506.1
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 156.6 74.2 +82.4

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Boston, MA to Spencer, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston or Spencer safer?

Spencer, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 363 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston, MA — a 86% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Spencer has 82.4. Spencer 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 Spencer, MA

Spencer, a central Massachusetts town, is home to the historic Howe family, inventors of the sewing machine. Situated on the Seven Hills, it features a diverse population of just over 11,000 residents. With a safety score of 97/100 and a population coverage of 12,130, Spencer has a total crime rate of 362.7 per 100,000 residents.

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