Is Boston or Waltham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Waltham is safer than Boston (Safety Score 76/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 951 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 64% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Waltham has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 10.1x 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
Waltham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Waltham, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Waltham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 951.3 | +1,698.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 252.0 | +376.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 1.5 | +2.1 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 18.3 | +7.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 22.9 | +103.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 209.2 | +263.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 699.4 | +1,322.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 125.2 | +52.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 519.2 | +1,168.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 55.0 | +101.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Waltham safer?
Waltham is safer with a total crime rate of 951 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Waltham has 252.0. Waltham 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 Waltham, MA
Waltham, "Watch City," is a historic industrial suburb of Boston along the Charles River. Home to Brandeis University, its diverse population includes a significant immigrant community. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 65,488, Waltham has a total crime rate of 951.3 per 100,000 residents.