Is Boston or Stoneham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Stoneham is safer than Boston (Safety Score 83/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 764 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 71% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Stoneham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 28.4x 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
Stoneham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Stoneham, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Stoneham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 763.8 | +1,885.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 151.0 | +477.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 13.0 | +12.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 4.3 | +122.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 133.8 | +338.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 612.8 | +1,408.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 120.8 | +56.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 453.1 | +1,234.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 38.8 | +117.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Stoneham safer?
Stoneham is safer with a total crime rate of 764 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Stoneham has 151.0. Stoneham 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 Stoneham, MA
Stoneham, Massachusetts, a Middlesex County town, is home to the Stone Zoo, which opened in 1905. Located just north of Boston, it's a suburban community with a population around 23,000. With a safety score of 83/100 and a population coverage of 23,173, Stoneham has a total crime rate of 763.8 per 100,000 residents.