Is Boston or West Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Boston is safer than West Springfield (Safety Score 25/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100,000 versus 3,588 for West Springfield — 26% lower. Boston has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where West Springfield has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 22.8x 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
West Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
West Springfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | West Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 3,588.5 | -938.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 415.3 | +212.8 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 55.4 | -29.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 45.0 | +81.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 314.9 | +157.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 3,173.2 | -1,151.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 256.1 | -78.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 2,612.6 | -925.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 304.5 | -147.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or West Springfield safer?
Boston is safer with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100K vs 3,588 for West Springfield — a 26% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while West Springfield has 415.3. West Springfield 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 West Springfield, MA
West Springfield, home to the annual Big E fair, sits on the western bank of the Connecticut River. This Hampden County town has a population of over 28,000, with notable Portuguese and Latino communities. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 28,898, West Springfield has a total crime rate of 3,588.5 per 100,000 residents.