Is Boston or Spencer Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Spencer is safer than Boston (Safety Score 96/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 363 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 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.
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Spencer — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Spencer, MA
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 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Spencer safer?
Spencer is safer with a total crime rate of 363 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — 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 96/100 and a population coverage of 12,130, Spencer has a total crime rate of 362.7 per 100,000 residents.