Is Boston or Sudbury Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sudbury is safer than Boston (Safety Score 97/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 336 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 87% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sudbury has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 33.1x 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
Sudbury — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Sudbury, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Sudbury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 336.0 | +2,313.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 55.2 | +572.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 20.1 | +5.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 0.0 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 35.1 | +437.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 280.9 | +1,740.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 15.1 | +162.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 250.8 | +1,436.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 15.1 | +141.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Sudbury safer?
Sudbury is safer with a total crime rate of 336 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Sudbury has 55.2. Sudbury 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 Sudbury, MA
Sudbury, a affluent town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, is home to the historic Wayside Inn, the nation's oldest operating inn. It's primarily a residential community with a population of around 19,000. With a safety score of 97/100 and a population coverage of 19,939, Sudbury has a total crime rate of 336.0 per 100,000 residents.