Is Boston or Westfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Westfield is safer than Boston (Safety Score 74/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 998 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 62% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Westfield has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 16.0x 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
Westfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Westfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Westfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 998.3 | +1,651.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 191.4 | +436.6 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 21.8 | +3.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 9.7 | +116.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 159.9 | +312.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 806.9 | +1,214.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 75.1 | +102.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 647.0 | +1,040.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 84.8 | +71.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Westfield safer?
Westfield is safer with a total crime rate of 998 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Westfield has 191.4. Westfield 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 Westfield, MA
Westfield, a city in Hampden County, was historically known for its whip manufacturing industry. Situated in the foothills of the Berkshires, its population is around 40,000. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 41,270, Westfield has a total crime rate of 998.3 per 100,000 residents.