Is Boston Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Boston, Massachusetts, is one of the defining cities in our nation’s history.

If it weren’t for this portside “city on a hill,” who knows what the United State of America would look like today, or if it would even exist?

Boston might be known as Beantown, but don’t say that in front of the locals.

It’s not a moniker used anywhere but outside the city.

You still should try the baked beans that led to the nickname.

They are a Boston staple.

The city is divided up into many different neighborhoods, with some of the most popular being:

• Beacon Hill
• Charlestown (Name That Movie – “Whose car we gonna take?”)
• Dorchester
• Wharf District
• West End
• South Boston

A lot of what most people know about Boston is from history books, but there is a wealth of culture and modern neighborhoods with thriving art and nightlife scenes that should be explored.

Let’s not forget the harbor and the bay with islands to explore and waters to enjoy.

The Boston Lighthouse is a stellar tour (though I am biased because I love lighthouses), and the light from that structure can be seen nearly 30 miles into the sea.

Whether you want to tour like a Kennedy or explore like a Wahlburg or ride like Paul Revere, there’s something for everyone in Boston.

Warnings & Dangers in Boston

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Boston has a low risk for being such a large city, but it does have its fair share of crime. Looking over the past decade, crime trends have been going in a safer direction. Yes, there is gun violence, drug & gang problems, and thefts, but when it comes to major metropolitan areas, Boston provides an enjoyable, walkable experience.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

In Boston, you can take public transportation by rail, subway, bus, or ferry. You can rent a car or rely on taxis and rideshares too. There are the typical risks of transportation in a major city, like pickpocketing, but the MBTA does have its own police department and a safety page you can review before deciding how you want to get around during your visit. If you are visiting in the winter and don't like to drive in the snow, please don't rent a car.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

There is about a one in 10,000 chance of being a pickpocket or purse snatching victim here, based on the incidents reported in 2020 (68 total). While it's not a high risk, you should use the utmost caution, as you would in any city, especially when you're distracted by really cool tourist attractions. I walked around Boston for an entire weekend a few years back as a single woman, and I never once felt threatened or intimidated.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Boston gets some "wicked" winter weather in the form of blizzards with an average of four feet of snow each year. The people who live here are very used to these storms, but they can catch tourists off guard. It's rare a storm will shut the city down, but it will make getting around more challenging for visitors. Hurricanes are another big threat, with the highest risk from August through October. If you remember the book/movie The Perfect Storm, it was a swordboat crew from Gloucester, just north of Boston.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium risk, with the robbery rate being 60% higher than the national average and 48% of those robberies happening in public places. The plus side for tourists is that just 13% of the violent crimes in 2020 happened against strangers.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

The size, historical monuments, port, and government of Boston make it a prime potential target for terrorists. There's a medium risk, but there's also an enhanced presence of Homeland Security working visibly and behind the scenes to keep everyone safe.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Rental and home improvement scams are the top warnings issued here, which only impact a tourist who is looking to rent a home instead of staying in a hotel. Never wire money to secure a rental home, and make sure the landlord has a rental permit. The MTBA warns against buying tickets from Craigslist or someone on the street. Those are likely scams.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

The sexual assault rate is slightly lower than the national average, but those crimes do have a low clearance rate. 10% of the sexual assaults were against strangers. If you are out at night, you should walk with a buddy or a group and avoid walking alone. However, that's advice for any city. I don't want to give a false sense of safety, but I also don't want to scare women away. Don't carry a large purse and leave the valuables at the hotel.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2021 Water Quality Report shows no violations, and all standards were met or exceeded. The biggest concern about Boston's water is lead, which comes from old pipes throughout the city. An aggressive plan is underway to replace lead pipes. If you are staying in an older hotel, ask the front desk what risk of lead there is in your water.

Safest Places to Visit in Boston

Boston has dozens of tours available with even more historic locations.

You can plot your travel path through the GoCity app and get special deals for bulk purchases.

You’ll see the regular price of an attraction and then the discounted price.

The Freedom Trail is one of the most popular tours in Boston (I almost wrote “Beantown!).

This is a great way to see monumental sites that led to the American Revolution.

Download the Freedom Trail app to learn more about ticket prices.

Guided walking tours are available starting at the Boston Common Visitor’s Center.

Take the Black Heritage Trail tour to explore African American history in the city.

Tour guides dressed in era-matching clothing will tell you about the life of African Americans in Boston before the Civil War.

14 sites are along the tour, including a stop on the underground railroad.

At Boston Harbor, you can choose from a variety of boat tours.

There are cruise ships that leave from here as well.

If you want to take a city tour by water, there’s a boat for that.

This is also a great way to explore Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket without driving.

You can’t visit Boston without spilling some tea.

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum is an interactive and lively remake of what is called the “#1 Best Patriotic Attraction.”

Get ready for more people in costumes.

Then hop across the harbor to the USS Constitution Museum to look at “Old Ironsides.”

Walking tours are available in Beacon Hills, where gas-lit streetlamps still light the way along cobblestone roads.

The tours give a little bit of history and a look inside some of the most elegant homes in the neighborhood.

If you’re screaming at me because your feet are already tired with these dang walking tours, you can also take trolley and double-decker bus tours of different neighborhoods.

There are just so many it’s hard to list them in just one article.

Boston Harbor Island National State Park is accessible by car or ferry, but the ferry, in most cases, is faster.

You have nearly three dozen places in the park to explore.

The Boston Light is open for tours, and it’s the oldest lighthouse in the country.

Three other lighthouses are in the park.

Places to Avoid in Boston

Mattapan, Dorchester, and Roxbury are three of the neighborhoods with the highest crime rates, and they are also away from major tourist attractions anyway.

(Fun Fact: Donnie and Mark Wahlberg grew up in Dorchester) While the movie “The Town” wasn’t based on reality, there part parts of Charlestown that are dangerous and should be avoided.

Boston is a “see it, and you’ll know it” kind of town.

It’s designed to be very walkable, and there is a large university presence with Harvard and MIT across the way in Cambridge.

When you’re getting into a rough neighborhood, you’ll notice.

It’s smart to make friends with the concierge at your hotel to ask about crime trends happening closer to your visit.

Oh, and one more thing – if you love the New York Yankees, Starbucks Coffee, or any actor who isn’t Ben Affleck or Matt Damon, keep it to yourself.

This is Red Sox, Dunkin’, and Good Will Hunting territory.

Also, it’s not necessarily a bad thing if someone calls you a Masshole, but it’s a bad thing if you are referred to as a Chowderhead.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Boston

So... How Safe Is Boston Really?

As in any major city in America, crime can be an issue, and this goes for both petty and violent crime.

Given that the city attracts a huge amount of tourists with all of the tourist attractions, museums, and monuments, it’s only natural that it attracts pickpockets too.

This is where it’s best to not walk around displaying your belongings like cameras, expensive watches, jewelry, money, wallets or passports.

Act as you would in your city, and avoid deserted and poorly lit areas.

The city can become more dangerous after dark, so it is best to avoid parks at night because this is often where criminal activities and drug use take place after dark.

Tourists are highly advised to stick to landmarks and tourist areas.

Though Boston is safe during daylight and relatively safe after dark, some specific areas of Boston are best avoided.

These are Roxbury, Mattapan, and Dorchester, but since there aren’t any tourist attractions here, it’s unlikely that visitors will have any problems in these parts of Boston.

Avoid Boston Common or the Public Garden late at night unless there is a big public event, like a concert.

The usually busy areas of North End, the Waterfront area, and the Theatre District are also locations where it doesn’t hurt to be extra careful at night.

How Does Boston Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You'll need a U.S. Travel or Work Visa, which can take months to get issued. Having a visa doesn't guarantee you access to the United States, so be on your best behavior as you go through Customs. You will need to have that visa when you depart, but store it in a safe place during your trip.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar is the only currency you can use here. Exchange currency at the airport or a local bank, but see if the exchange rate gets you a better value in your home country. Try to limit how much cash you carry, and don't keep it in a wad in your wallet. Using a credit card offers better fraud protection.

Weather

You'll get all four seasons here, and winters can be very snowy and cold. Bring full winter gear with you, and don't forget snow boots. Spring and fall can be mild but chilly in the morning and at night, so bring jeans and sweatshirts with some short-sleeved shirts. Summers will be beautiful and not too hot, but there can be an occasional extreme heat wave.

Airports

Boston Logan International Airport is just four miles from downtown. Be sure to look at the traffic-layer map. I'm looking at this on a Sunday evening, and driving those four miles would take you 30 minutes right now.

Travel Insurance

You should consider travel insurance to protect your belongings, health, and flight. From hurricanes to winter storms, the weather here can easily shut down airports along the Eastern Seaboard, and you should be prepared for that delay or cancellation without losing a lot of money.

Boston Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Massachusetts - Safety by City