Massachusetts : Safety by City
- Amherst
- Barnstable
- Boston
- Brockton
- Cape Cod
- Chatham
- Fall River
- Framingham
- Gloucester
- Harwich
- Haverhill
- Holyoke
- Hyannis
- Lowell
- Lynn
- Martha’s Vineyard
- Nantucket
- New Bedford
- Newton
- Pittsfield
- Plymouth
- Provincetown
- Quincy
- Seekonk
- Somerville
- Sturbridge
- Truro
- Wellfleet
- Williamstown
- Worcester
Massachusetts is an exciting and vibrant state with a lot to offer travelers.
Home to more than 114 colleges and universities, it has a highly educated population and is known as the birthplace of the American Revolution.
It offers the busy city life experience in hubs like Boston, beautiful ocean views and authentic seafood cuisine, and experiences to see nature.
There is so much to do and see in Massachusetts, and you can learn a lot about history in many of its historic places.
No matter what season you visit the Bay State, you will find something amazing to do.
Warnings & Dangers in Massachusetts
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Overall, Massachusetts is a low-risk place to visit. All of New England is ranked as a safe place to live. However, for as many as 47% of all Massachusetts residents, crime is something they are concerned about.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Transport risk is low in Massachusetts. All taxi drivers have to have federal licensing and state licensing. Also, Massachusetts has an extensive public transit system. There are more than 15 regional transit authorities in the state. Plus, it was the birthplace of the first subway system in the country.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
The risk for pick-pocketing in Massachusetts is low. This is the case for all of the United States. Simple theft precautions will help prevent any theft due to pickpocketing to occur.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
The risk for natural disasters in Massachusetts is medium. This is due to it being exposed to many different types of potential natural disasters, such as earthquakes, flooding, or snowstorms. However, it does not have a reputation for having any particular kind of natural disaster.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Overall, the risk for mugging in Massachusetts is low. However, highly populated urban areas are more dangerous than other places such as Boston.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
The terrorism risk for Massachusetts is low. There have not been any recent attacks or anything like that.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
The scam risk for Massachusetts is medium. Scammers are getting more sophisticated, so it's important to do your due diligence when making any travel plans.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Massachusetts is a liberal state, and women travelers are treated with respect. It is a safe place for women to travel and it is a low-risk area.
TAP WATER RISK: MEDIUM
Tap water risk is medium. Certain areas of Massachusetts are known to have contaminated water, but the tap water in municipal waters is treated and sanitized to federal guidelines.
Safest Places to Visit in Massachusetts
Franklin
Franklin, Massachusetts is a safe, tight-knit community.
It is also home to the first public library.
The crime rate here is low-being only 1 in 1000.
It’s been ranked as the second safest city in the United States.
Hopkinton
Hopkinton, Massachusetts was named the safest city in the United States by another publication.
In 2021, it had zero reported crimes!
Nantucket
Nantucket has crime rates that are lower than 75% of the rest of the country.
It is an exciting seaside town with lots for visitors to explore and a great history behind it.
Especially during the summer, there are a lot of fun outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy.
Marblehead
Marblehead, Massachusetts is up to 81% lower than other places in the country.
Also, it’s best known as the birthplace of the United States Navy.
Plus, its water features are popular with yachting, boating, and fishing.
See Castle Rock or visit Devereux Beach.
Sturbridge
Sturbridge has crime rates 44% lower than anywhere in the United States.
Plus, it has a fun and unique feature!
The living museum recreates life as it were in the colonial era.
The vintage shops have fun shopping opportunities.
Northampton
Northampton is a peaceful college town home to Smith College.
The total crime rate is 16% lower than average.
Enjoy the parks and bike trails.
Other popular locations are the Botanic Gardens.
Cambridge
Cambridge has crime rates 10% lower than the rest of the country.
It is home to Harvard square. Also, you can enjoy world-class museums.
The Longfellow House was home to poet Henry Longfellow.
Sudbury, MA
Sudbury, MA is in the 85% of safety when it comes to cities in the United States.
It is midway between many of the other popular destinations in Massachusetts.
One of the best things you’ll see is the famous stone mill.
It’s more than 100 years old.
The nearby Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge and Puffer Pond or Taylor Brook also have beautiful sights.
Berkshire
Berkshire is among the 93% of safest places to visit in the US.
This quaint town is located on the slopes of Green Mountain.
It has villages, small towns, and a supportive community.
With a lively art scene, many tourists love visiting the Berkshires.
If you love art, be sure to see the Norman Rockwell Museum, the MASS Museum of Contemporary Art, or the Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Amherst
Amherst is ranked as half as dangerous as the average United States city.
This college town is home to Amherst College.
One of its biggest cultural draws is the museums.
This includes the Beneski Museum of Natural History, the Mead Art Museum, and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Books.
Also, there are many outdoor recreation opportunities available nearby.
These include Mount Holyoke, Mount Norwottuck, and Bare Mountain.
Places to Avoid in Massachusetts
It’s important to note that every part of Massachusetts has its good side and its bad side.
So, many wonderful people live in all of these places and equally pleasant things to see and experience there.
Worchester, Massachusetts is an urban area and can sometimes be a dangerous place.
It is the second-largest city in New England.
So, it will have good areas and bad areas, just like any other city.
It’s ranked high in property crimes and violent crimes.
To be safe, don’t walk alone on the street at night!
Another city in Massachusetts to avoid is Springfield, Massachusetts.
In particular, avoid the area of West Springfield.
Its high unemployment rate and low home value make it a place to steer clear of.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Massachusetts
- Be prepared. Make sure that you have dotted all your eyes and crossed all your t’s, so to speak. Have all of your necessary travel preparations outlined. Try to plan every detail, down to where you are going to eat, to make everything go as smoothly as possible.
- Talk to the locals. Get local recommendations on the best ways to spend your time. They will be able to point you to the best activities, stores, and even local events that will probably make your trip ten times better.
- Find the right help. If you are hiring people to help during your travel stay, make sure you find the right team. Compare ratings and ask for referrals. It will make all of the difference!
- Stay on time. Give yourself enough time for travel and to stay on your itinerary. Be generous and realistic about how much you can get down in one day. Also, be at least two hours early to the airport to give yourself enough time to check-in, wait in line at security, and so on.
- Stick to a schedule. From your flights to your hotel and your daytime activities, make a schedule of what you are going to do and share it with friends or family beforehand. Then, they will be able to know where you are at all times and it keeps you accountable and safe.
- Luggage. Get weather-safe, lockable luggage. This is a baseline precaution for all of your belongings.
- Make copies of everything. Traveling with backup identification will help you be safe in all possible scenarios. Having everything photocopied and saved will also help you save time and money ahead of your travel plans.
- Buy travel insurance. Give yourself peace of mind by purchasing travel insurance. It can cover your needs in so many circumstances. From missing your flight to natural disasters or medical problems, there could be any number of issues that would arise. So, you can keep yourself safe.
- Check local state government website. The local government website will give you guidance about any issues to be aware of and other potential issues that could happen. Be aware by checking the state government website regularly.
- Protect yourself from scams. Learn about any potential scams that could be circulating.
So... How Safe Is Massachusetts Really?
With some of the safest cities in the entire United States of America, Massachusetts is a very safe place to visit.
However, it’s possible that the more populous areas, like Boston or Worchester, can have seedy areas, just like any other urban area.
However, there are many elements to consider when thinking about the safety of traveling.
Many global cities are diverse and accepting of people from all walks of life.
So, it is welcoming to many travelers and they will feel safe when visiting the state of Massachusetts.
There are also many safe activities to do.
Some people might enjoy winter sports or thrills like white water rafting, which have a risk factor.
However, there are also many safer activities to participate in that the whole family can enjoy.
From gourmet seafood to amazing fourth of July fireworks, Massachusetts has great activities no matter what your thrill level and budget are.
Millions of people travel to Massachusetts every year.
There is a great infrastructure that is safe and supportive for tourists and visitors from people all over the world.
It’s regularly ranked as one of the safest places in the world to live.
How Does Massachusetts Compare?
| State | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 84 |
| Kansas | 81 |
| Iowa | 82 |
| Idaho | 85 |
| Illinois | 77 |
| Indiana | 61 |
| Alaska | 65 |
| Colorado | 82 |
| Florida | 70 |
Useful Information
Visas
The process of getting a visa to travel to Massachusetts is similar to any other place in the United States. You have to first go through the US visa process. It costs a flat rate of $160.
Currency
Massachusetts uses USD. So, you can convert your money to any number of places. You also can use international credit cards.
Weather
Massachusetts has cold winters, so if you are traveling in the winter, be sure to pack a coat. Also, you should have a lightweight jacket any time of year you travel.
Airports
The biggest airport in Massachusetts is General Edward Lawrence Logan Airport. It is located in Boston. Also, there are more than 200 airports in Massachusetts. This includes 8 passenger airports and 1 international airport.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a must for any traveler! It gives you peace of mind and covers your needs for any aspect of your journey. From covering flight tickets to health needs, you can cover all of your travel necessities when you purchase the correct travel insurance. Ask our team for recommendations!
Massachusetts Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 3 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 19 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 23 | 17 | 11 | 6 |
| Low °C | -5 | -4 | -1 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 8 | 3 | -2 |
| High °F | 37 | 39 | 46 | 57 | 66 | 77 | 82 | 81 | 73 | 63 | 52 | 43 |
| Low °F | 23 | 25 | 30 | 41 | 50 | 59 | 66 | 64 | 57 | 46 | 37 | 28 |
Massachusetts - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Amherst | 87 |
| Barnstable | 81 |
| Boston | 67 |
| Brockton | 76 |
| Cape Cod | 85 |
| Chatham | 88 |
| Fall River | 48 |
| Framingham | 74 |
| Gloucester | 78 |
| Harwich | 89 |
| Haverhill | 74 |
| Holyoke | 46 |
| Hyannis | 80 |
| Lowell | 73 |
| Lynn | 74 |
| Martha’s Vineyard | 88 |
| Nantucket | 88 |
| New Bedford | 74 |
| Newton | 84 |
| Pittsfield | 75 |
| Plymouth | 86 |
| Provincetown | 80 |
| Quincy | 84 |
| Seekonk | 87 |
| Somerville | 87 |
| Sturbridge | 88 |
| Truro | 87 |
| Wellfleet | 92 |
| Williamstown | 88 |
| Worcester | 69 |
The average birth place
I was born here i live in hyde park near dedham its all right the littering in my neighborhood is high and gross so since i was born here its average the new england aquaium and boston common is fun and nice