Is Boston or Westford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Westford is safer than Boston (Safety Score 95/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 405 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 85% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Westford has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 26.4x 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
Westford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Westford, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Westford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 404.9 | +2,244.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 68.2 | +559.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 12.0 | +13.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 0.0 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 56.1 | +416.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 336.7 | +1,685.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 36.1 | +141.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 268.6 | +1,418.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 32.1 | +124.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Westford safer?
Westford is safer with a total crime rate of 405 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 85% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Westford has 68.2. Westford 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 Westford, MA
Westford, Massachusetts, a Middlesex County town, was once a major granite quarrying center. Today, it's a suburban community with a highly educated population and a median age in the early 40s. Its landscape features rolling hills and numerous lakes. With a safety score of 95/100 and a population coverage of 24,946, Westford has a total crime rate of 404.9 per 100,000 residents.