Is Boston or Wellesley Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wellesley is safer than Boston (Safety Score 91/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 532 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 80% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wellesley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 20.6x 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
Wellesley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Wellesley, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Wellesley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 531.7 | +2,118.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 46.9 | +581.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 9.4 | +16.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 0.0 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 37.5 | +434.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 484.8 | +1,536.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 65.7 | +112.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 378.4 | +1,309.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 40.7 | +115.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Wellesley safer?
Wellesley is safer with a total crime rate of 532 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 80% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Wellesley has 46.9. Wellesley 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 Wellesley, MA
Wellesley, a affluent Boston suburb known for Wellesley College, occupies a tree-lined landscape with a median household income exceeding $200,000. Its population of around 29,000 residents reflects a highly educated community, with over 80% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. With a safety score of 91/100 and a population coverage of 31,973, Wellesley has a total crime rate of 531.7 per 100,000 residents.