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Updated Wed, 09 Sep 2026
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Is Boston safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Boston scores 75/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes, Boston remains one of America's safest major cities for visitors with moderate risks concentrated in specific areas. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Boston 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 8 October 2026
75
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime66/100FairCrime index 40.2 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment70/100GoodGenerally positive
Advisories85Good
Stability72Good
Health82Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:48:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-07T12:42:05.7202642-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
654k residents
73
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
ModerateArmed robberies occur sporadically, often targeting individuals in isolated areas or late-night settings such as Dorchester and Roxbury
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are reported in crowded tourist zones like Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, and Downtown Crossing, particularly during peak visiting hours
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Generally positive
70/100
Reported feel75Generally positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travelers report feeling safe in Boston's historic upscale neighborhoods and business districts, though caution is advised in isolated areas and during large crowds
Yes, Boston remains one of America's safest major cities for visitors with moderate risks concentrated in specific areas.
Boston's composite safety index of 77/100 reflects lower violent crime than comparable U.S. cities, though homicide rates match the national average at 5.8 per 100k. Visitors face moderate pickpocketing and robbery risks, primarily in crowded tourist zones and isolated nighttime settings, with recent incidents including armed robberies at lemonade stands in June 2026.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Teen arrested after armed robbery at kids' lemonade stand; robbers remain at large— USA Today
- Jun 2026Boston lemonade stand robbed at gunpoint; robbers flee and remain at large— NBC News
- Jul 2026Massachusetts man arrested for bank robbery— FBI (.gov)
- May 2026ICE archives show ERO Boston arrests Jamaican national convicted of robbery in Connecticut— ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (.gov)
Common scams
- Fake ticket sales near Fenway Park and TD Garden
- Rental property overbooking scams
- Fraudulent travel-related websites appearing in search results
Full briefing
Boston sees most violent crime concentrated in Roxbury, Dorchester, and parts of Mattapan, while tourist areas like Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and Downtown report crime rates 25-35% below the city average. The June 2026 lemonade stand robberies highlight that armed incidents can occur even in daytime settings, though suspects were quickly apprehended in one case. Pickpocketing remains a persistent concern around Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market during peak hours, consistent with Numbeo data showing 36/100 worry about mugging or robbery among residents. Travelers should avoid wearing opposing team gear near Fenway Park or TD Garden on game days, as verbal harassment can escalate when crowds disperse after matches. The MBTA reduces major crimes by 13% citywide, but late-night subway riders should stay alert near exits and consider rideshares after 10 p.m. in less frequented corridors. Hotel scams involving fake booking websites persist, so verify reservations directly with properties or through recognized platforms. Despite these risks, Boston's strong healthcare system—with five hospitals in Newsweek's global top rankings—and extensive police presence in business districts contribute to its safety profile. The city's total crime rate of 26.19 per 1,000 residents means only about 2.6% of the population faces annual crime exposure, keeping visitor risks manageable with standard precautions. Always keep wallets in front pockets and phones zipped in bags when navigating crowded markets or festival areas.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Boston districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Boston safety map.
DorchesteravoidHigher rates of robbery and assault, especially at night; recent armed robbery of a lemonade stand reported June 2026.
RoxburyavoidElevated violent crime including assault and robbery; exercise increased caution, particularly after dark.
Downtown / Financial DistrictcautionHigh daytime foot traffic brings pickpocketing risk; remain alert in Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall areas.
Fenway / KenmorecautionGame nights increase rowdy crowds and verbal harassment risk; avoid wearing opposing team gear near stadiums.
Back BaysaferUpscale historic area with strong police presence and low violent crime; watch for pickpockets in crowded shops.
Beacon HillsaferWell-lit, residential area with active community policing; minimal crime risk during day and night.
South EndsaferTrendy neighborhood with low violent crime; property crime slightly above average but rare for visitors.
Cambridge (Harvard Square)saferUniversity area with strong safety presence; petty theft possible near transit hubs after dark.
07 · After Dark
Is Boston safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Armed robberies occur sporadically, often targeting individuals in isolated areas or late-night settings such as Dorchester and Roxbury
After dark, be most careful around Dorchester, Roxbury, Downtown / Financial District, Fenway / Kenmore. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Boston safety FAQ (2026)
Is Boston safe right now (2026)?
Yes, Boston remains one of America's safest major cities for visitors with moderate risks concentrated in specific areas. Boston's composite safety index of 77/100 reflects lower violent crime than comparable U.S. cities, though homicide rates match the national average at 5.8 per 100k. Visitors face moderate pickpocketing and robbery risks, primarily in crowded tourist zones and isolated nighttime settings, with recent incidents including armed robberies at lemonade stands in June 2026. (Assessed 8 October 2026.)
Is Boston safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Boston report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Boston should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Dorchester, Roxbury as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Boston (2026)?
- Fake ticket sales near Fenway Park and TD Garden
- Rental property overbooking scams
- Fraudulent travel-related websites appearing in search results
How does Boston compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Boston ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 75/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this boston safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 15+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight (and U.S. reports lean more on the latest field research); the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: boston.json (CC BY 4.0).