Is Boston, MA Safe? 2026 Crime Rates & Safety Report
Key facts
- 01
Boston, Massachusetts reported 114.76 robbery offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 2.38 times the national reference of 48.24 per 100,000 and 66.52 per 100,000 above that reference, with 762 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 02
Boston, Massachusetts reported 448.06 aggravated assault offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 1.95 times the national reference of 229.56 per 100,000 and 218.50 per 100,000 above that reference, with 2,975 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 03
Boston, Massachusetts reported 1,671.76 larceny-theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 1.51 times the national reference of 1,106.97 per 100,000 and 564.79 per 100,000 above that reference, with 11,100 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 04
Boston, Massachusetts reported 107.08 motor vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 0.55 times the national reference of 193.00 per 100,000 and 85.92 per 100,000 below that reference, with 711 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 05
Boston, Massachusetts reported 160.40 burglary offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 0.85 times the national reference of 188.15 per 100,000 and 27.75 per 100,000 below that reference, with 1,065 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
Quick answer
In the Safety Atlas 2026 public safety index, Boston, MA has an adjusted safety score of 34.98 out of 100. It ranks #6 in this comparison set out of the 7 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in Massachusetts. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as increasing.
Jump to Section
2026 edition, FBI source year 2025.
Every number on this page ships in the Massachusetts workbook.
Key Public Safety Indicators
Reported rates per 100,000 residents; national references shown alongside.
| Offense Class | Annual Count | Rate per 100K | National Avg | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbery | 762 | 114.76 | 48.24 |
2.38× national |
| Aggravated Assault | 2975 | 448.06 | 229.56 |
1.95× national |
| Burglary | 1065 | 160.4 | 188.15 | 0.85× national |
| Larceny-theft | 11100 | 1671.76 | 1106.97 |
1.51× national |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 711 | 107.08 | 193.0 | 0.55× national |
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What drives Boston's safety score?
Boston ranks in the bottom quarter of the 7 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in Massachusetts, ahead of approximately 14% of that scored set. The profile uses a reporting population of 663,972 and source-year data through 2025; it is a citywide agency-level comparison, not a neighborhood forecast.
The strongest of the three score components is Property Security at 42.67, while Community Order is lowest at 28.35. The 14.32-point spread shows why the composite should be read by component instead of as a single absolute claim about safety.
Among the five public offense indicators, Robbery is highest relative to its national reference at 114.76 per 100,000 (2.38× the national rate). Motor Vehicle Theft is lowest on the same relative basis at 107.08 per 100,000 (0.55× national).
Coverage check: 18 of 18 tracked offense classes have reportable values in this profile. Missing values are not converted to zero.
Public indicator mix
Boston, Massachusetts recorded 11,100 larceny-theft offenses in 2025, 66.8% of the 16,613 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 711 motor vehicle theft reports (4.3%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Boston, Massachusetts recorded 2,975 aggravated assault offenses in 2025, 17.9% of the 16,613 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 711 motor vehicle theft reports (4.3%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Boston, Massachusetts recorded 1,065 burglary offenses in 2025, 6.4% of the 16,613 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 711 motor vehicle theft reports (4.3%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Boston, Massachusetts uses a reporting population of 663,972 residents and has values for 18 of the 18 tracked offense classes (100.0%) in its 2025 profile; coverage describes available classes rather than the share of residents reporting crime.
Boston, Massachusetts has an adjusted score of 34.98 points out of 100 versus 89.68 in Mashpee, Massachusetts, a difference of 54.70 points below that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; Boston ranks 6 of 7 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
Boston, Massachusetts has an adjusted score of 34.98 points out of 100 versus 75.83 in Worcester, Massachusetts, a difference of 40.85 points below that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; Boston ranks 6 of 7 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
Detailed Crime Class Breakdown
Additional tracked offense classes
- Homicide
- Rape
- Kidnapping/Abduction
- Human Trafficking
- Arson
- Theft From Building
- Theft From Motor Vehicle
- Simple Assault
- Intimidation
- Stolen Property Offenses
- Vandalism
- Weapon Law Violations
- Drug/Narcotic Violations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston safe compared to other places in Massachusetts?
Boston is classified as having low relative safety in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index. It has an adjusted safety score of 34.98 out of 100 and ranks #6 in this comparison set out of the 7 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in Massachusetts.
What is the crime rate in Boston?
Public offense rates are listed above.
What is Boston's safety rating?
Boston's safety rating in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index is 34.98 out of 100, which ranks #6 in this comparison set out of the 7 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in Massachusetts. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as increasing, using source-year data through 2025.
What is the safest neighborhood in Boston?
This profile covers the reporting jurisdiction; consult local sources for neighborhood detail.
Why are some crime statistics locked for Boston?
Full offense series: state workbook.
Reading notes
Massachusetts safety directory
Safety Atlas methodology · 2026 coverage report
Cite This Public Safety Profile
Citation formats:
Primary Source Data Integrity
- Crime Counts: FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) database.
- Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimate boundaries.
- Methodology: Adjusted per-capita normalization with small-sample relief controls. View our complete Methodology Documentation.