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Boston vs Swampscott Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Boston crime rate · Swampscott crime rate

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Is Boston or Swampscott Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Swampscott is safer than Boston (Safety Score 68/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 1,157 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 56% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

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

Note: Boston is 41.4x 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

Swampscott — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Boston, MA

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

Swampscott, MA

Swampscott, MA
Safety Score 68/100
Coverage 15,907
Total Crime Rate 1,156.7
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Boston Swampscott Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,649.7 1,156.7 +1,493.0
Violent Crime Rate 628.0 81.7 +546.3
Murder Rate 3.6 0.0 +3.6
Rape Rate 25.6 6.3 +19.4
Robbery Rate 126.4 6.3 +120.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 472.2 69.2 +403.1
Property Crime Rate 2,021.7 1,075.0 +946.7
Burglary Rate 177.7 119.4 +58.2
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,687.4 911.6 +775.9
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 156.6 44.0 +112.6

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

Moving from Boston, MA to Swampscott, 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 Swampscott safer?

Swampscott is safer with a total crime rate of 1,157 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 56% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Swampscott has 81.7. Swampscott 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 Swampscott, MA

Swampscott, a coastal town north of Boston, boasts a rich history as the birthplace of the modern lobster industry. Its scenic shoreline, with beaches and rocky outcrops, defines much of the affluent community. With a safety score of 68/100 and a population coverage of 15,907, Swampscott has a total crime rate of 1,156.7 per 100,000 residents.

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