Is Boston safe?
One of the safest big cities in the US. Petty theft, bike theft and winter ice are more common than violent crime in visitor areas.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- Homicide rate in United States: 5.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United States: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Boston at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots, bike theft, and car break-ins. Violent crime against visitors is rare, though areas around Mass and Cass have visible drug use. |
| At night | Central Boston and Cambridge are generally safe late; the T closes around 1 am, so plan rideshare for later returns. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Normal city care at night, use rideshare after the T stops, and watch drinks in bars. |
| Other risks | Heavy snow and ice, Dec–Mar; Nor'easters that close the T and airports; Aggressive drivers and cyclists |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Street 'charity' collectors near the Common and Faneuil Hall
- Unlicensed taxi touts at Logan Airport
- Fake tour sellers offering cheap Freedom Trail walks
- Overpriced parking near the TD Garden and Fenway
Take care
- The Mass and Cass area at night: drug use and aggressive panhandling
- Boston Common after dark
- Icy sidewalks in winter, especially around Beacon Hill
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking age is 21 everywhere; bars and shops check ID, so carry your passport.
- Open alcohol containers in public and in cars are illegal in most places.
- Cannabis is legal in some states but federally illegal; never carry it across borders or onto federal land.
How Boston compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Scottsdale | 5/5 · Very safe |
| New York City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Orlando | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Honolulu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Diego | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maui | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nashville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Austin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Key West | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Denver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Portland | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Antonio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Charleston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Savannah | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kauai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Big Island | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Los Angeles | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Miami | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Francisco | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Washington, D.C. | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Chicago | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| New Orleans | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Seattle | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Philadelphia | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Atlanta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Boston safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Normal city care at night, use rideshare after the T stops, and watch drinks in bars.
Is Boston safe at night?
Central Boston and Cambridge are generally safe late; the T closes around 1 am, so plan rideshare for later returns.
What is the crime rate in Boston?
Pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots, bike theft, and car break-ins. Violent crime against visitors is rare, though areas around Mass and Cass have visible drug use. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Boston?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Boston
Going to Boston solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Boston meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- MBTA (the T)
- Massport (Boston Logan Airport)
- Meet Boston (tourism)
- Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.