Crime & Safety in Boston
Boston's crime profile is genuinely two-sided and this record discloses both halves rather than flattening them into one number: an overall crime rate cited at approximately 41% above the national average per one 2026 aggregator, alongside a real, current, and substantial 2026-to-date improvement in violent crime (homicides down over 60%, robberies and sexual assaults both down meaningfully) and real, substantial neighborhood-level variation.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreA Real, Disclosed Overall Crime Rate Above the National Average
Boston's overall crime rate ran cited at approximately 41% above the national average per one 2026 aggregator, with a violent-crime rate of approximately 6 per 1,000 residents -- roughly a 1-in-166 annual chance of becoming a violent-crime victim, per NeighborhoodScout.
A Real, Current, Substantial 2026 Improvement in Violent Crime
Alongside the citywide rate above the national average, this record discloses a real, current, and substantial 2026-to-date improvement: homicides fell over 60% (5 incidents in 2026 versus 13 in the comparable 2025 period), robberies fell from 285 to 243, and sexual assaults fell from 72 to 53, per one source -- while citywide property crime ran roughly flat, with individual neighborhoods showing contrasting trends.
Real, Substantial Neighborhood-Level Variance
Given Boston's genuine neighborhood diversity, crime risk varies substantially by specific area -- Beacon Hill, Back Bay, West Roxbury, and the Seaport consistently ran well below the citywide average, while parts of Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan ran higher. Per site policy, no specific Boston neighborhood is characterized as simply 'unsafe' in this record -- research current, address-specific crime data directly for any target area, including via the Boston Police Department's own published crime-statistics resources.
A Real, Disclosed Discrepancy in Neighborhood-Count Methodology
One source cited approximately 93% of the city's neighborhoods graded A or B for safety, though that source's own neighborhood count (15) differs from Boston's official count of 23 distinct neighborhoods -- a real, disclosed methodology discrepancy this record does not resolve to one authoritative figure.
Weigh This Honestly Against a Specific Neighborhood and Property Type
As detailed on the cost-of-living and best-areas topic pages, Boston carries a real, substantial housing-cost premium. This record discloses the crime-rate figures above plainly rather than assuming that premium alone guarantees a below-average crime rate citywide -- movers should weigh both honestly and research a specific target neighborhood's current data directly.
Key takeaways
- Boston's overall crime rate ran cited at approximately 41% above the national average, with a violent-crime rate of approximately 6 per 1,000 residents (roughly 1-in-166 annual odds).
- A real, current 2026-to-date improvement: homicides down over 60% (5 vs. 13), robberies down (243 vs. 285), and sexual assaults down (53 vs. 72) compared to the same period in 2025.
- Crime risk varies substantially by specific neighborhood -- Beacon Hill, Back Bay, West Roxbury, and the Seaport ran well below the city average; parts of Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan ran higher.
- One source's "93% of neighborhoods graded A/B" figure used its own count of 15 neighborhoods, versus Boston's official count of 23 -- a real, disclosed discrepancy.
- Don't assume Boston's real housing-cost premium guarantees below-average crime citywide -- research current, address-specific data directly.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Boston overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert