Is Boston or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Boston is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 25/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 14% lower. Boston has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Boston has a 46% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 2.5x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Boston, MA?
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 3,080.8 | -431.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 621.9 | +6.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 6.8 | -3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 43.4 | -17.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 81.5 | +44.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 487.9 | -15.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 2,458.9 | -437.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 209.4 | -31.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 2,029.8 | -342.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 219.6 | -63.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or St. Petersburg safer?
Boston is safer with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg, Florida, known as the "Sunshine City," boasts a vibrant arts scene and beautiful waterfront parks along Tampa Bay. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area, a major metropolitan region on Florida's Gulf Coast. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 264,999, St. Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,080.8 per 100,000 residents.