Is Meridian or Newton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newton is safer than Meridian (Safety Score 87/100 vs 85/100), with a total crime rate of 648 per 100,000 versus 718 for Meridian — 10% lower. Meridian has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Newton has a 100% lower rate.
Meridian — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Newton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Meridian, ID
Newton, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Meridian | Newton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 718.2 | 648.3 | +69.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 146.8 | 48.9 | +97.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 0.0 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 29.9 | 10.0 | +19.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 10.7 | 1.1 | +9.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 105.5 | 37.8 | +67.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 571.4 | 599.3 | -27.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 52.0 | 63.4 | -11.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 482.4 | 501.5 | -19.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 37.1 | 34.5 | +2.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meridian or Newton safer?
Newton is safer with a total crime rate of 648 per 100K vs 718 for Meridian — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Meridian has a violent crime rate of 146.8 per 100K while Newton has 48.9. Newton has lower violent crime.
About Meridian, ID
Meridian, Idaho, once known as "Hunter," is a rapidly growing city in Ada County, part of the Boise metropolitan area. Its population has surged, and it hosts the annual Meridian Dairy Days, a nod to its agricultural past. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 140,353, Meridian has a total crime rate of 718.2 per 100,000 residents.
About Newton, MA
Newton, a suburban city in Middlesex County, is home to Boston College. Known for its distinct "villages," it's one of Massachusetts' wealthiest communities. With a safety score of 87/100 and a population coverage of 89,935, Newton has a total crime rate of 648.3 per 100,000 residents.