Is Boston or Westport Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Westport is safer than Boston (Safety Score 93/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 470 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 82% lower. Boston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Westport has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 39.2x 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
Westport — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Westport, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Westport | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 469.9 | +2,179.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 119.0 | +509.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 29.7 | -4.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 0.0 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 89.2 | +383.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 351.0 | +1,670.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 89.2 | +88.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 226.0 | +1,461.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 35.7 | +120.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Westport safer?
Westport is safer with a total crime rate of 470 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 82% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Westport has 119.0. Westport 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 Westport, MA
Westport, MA, a coastal town with a rich agricultural heritage, boasts numerous dairy farms and vineyards. Its population of around 16,000 residents enjoys miles of scenic coastline along Buzzards Bay. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 16,811, Westport has a total crime rate of 469.9 per 100,000 residents.