Safest Neighborhoods in Boston

By PropertyClub Team
Jan 27th 2023
Located in Northeast New England, Boston is a historic American city with a deep connection to the nation's founding. Boston is the state capital of Massachusetts, with a population of 675,649 and home to multiple world-class universities like Harvard and MIT. There are many reasons to move to the city, and in this article, we'll talk about the ten safest neighborhoods in Boston in 2023. 

hash-mark10 Safest Neighborhoods in Boston

  1. Allston-Brighton
  2. Hyde Park
  3. Newton Upper Falls 
  4. West Roxbury
  5. Roslindale
  6. East Boston
  7. Jamaica Plain 
  8. South Boston
  9. Charlestown
  10. Dorchester

hash-mark1. Allston-Brighton

The safest neighborhood in Boston is Allston-Brighton. One of the largest neighborhoods in Boston, Allston has a population of 70,469 and a very low crime rate. In 2022, the violent crime rate in the neighborhood was 315 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, making it safer than 82% of other cities in Massachusetts. This neighborhood is middle class, with a mixture of residential and commercial areas. Some notable businesses in this neighborhood include WBGH Education Foundation and New Balance.

hash-mark2. Hyde Park

Hyde Park is a safe Boston neighborhood with a population of 35,000 and a distinctively suburban feel. Hyde Park's motto is "A small town in the city," and residents take pride in having a small, tightly-knit community. Hyde Park has a crime rate of only one violent crime and 11 property crimes per 1,000 residents making the neighborhood 78% safer than the state average. Hyde Park is known for having many locally owned shops and stores and for having one of the most highly-rated dog parks in Boston.

hash-mark3. Newton Upper Falls 

Newton Upper Falls is another one of the safest places to live in Boston. Newton Upper Falls borders Needham and West Roxbury and has a crime rate of 605 per 100,000 people. Crime in Newtown is 56% lower than the national average, with residents having a 1 in 166 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime. The neighborhood is home to the Hemlock Gorge and Echo Bridge, a large aqueduct-turned-pedestrian walkway over the Charles River. The median home price in Newton Upper Falls is $788,500, which is 327% higher than the national average. 

hash-mark4. West Roxbury 

Another one of the safest places to live in Boston is West Roxbury. This neighborhood is situated between Roslindale and Jamaica Plain and has a population of 30,446. The crime rate of 870 per 100,000 people, making West Roxbury 63% safer than the US average and 36% safer than the Massachusetts average. Residents have a 1 in 115 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime. West Roxbury is often described as a quiet residential community. 

hash-mark5. Roslindale

Roslindale has a population of 37,610 residents and a crime rate of 1,341 per 100,000 people. Total crime in this neighborhood is 2% lower than the state average and 43% lower than the US average. Roslindale is primarily a residential neighborhood with a suburban feel. Part of the Arnold Arboretum is located within the neighborhood. The median home price in Roslindale is $293,614, which is 14% lower than the Massachusetts average. 

hash-mark6. East Boston

Easton Boston has a population of 40,508 and a very low violent crime rate of 1,542 per 100,000 people. East Boston has historically been home to numerous immigrant groups, making it one of Boston's most diverse neighborhoods. Crime rates in East Boston have steadily decreased in recent years, making the neighborhood much safer. As of 2023, crime in East Boston is 34% lower than the national average. 

hash-mark7. Jamaica Plain 

Jamaica Plain has a population of 45,158 people and is also one of the safest neighborhoods in Boston. Jamaica Plain is culturally diverse, with large Latin, Asian, and Black communities. The crime rate in Jamaica Plain is 1,852 per 100,000 people, making the neighborhood 21% safer than the US average. In total, residents have a 1 in 54 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime. The cost of living in this neighborhood is only 6% higher than the state average. 

hash-mark8. South Boston

South Boston has a population of 38,206 and a crime rate of 1,917 per 100,000 people, making the neighborhood 18% safer than the national average. Residents have a 1 in 53 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime. South Boston is one of the city's most expensive areas, with a median rent of $2,850 per month. South Boston is best known for hosting some of the best bars and events during St. Patrick's Day.

hash-mark9. Charlestown

Charlestown has a population of 20,504 and a crime rate of 1,948 per 100,000 people making the neighborhood 17% safer than the US average. While the crime rate is lower than the national average, Charlestown's crime rate is still higher than the national average. Residents have a 1 in 52 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime. Charlestown is a largely residential neighborhood with much of the housing near the waterfront overlooking the Boston skyline. 

hash-mark10. Dorchester

Besides being a safe place to live, Dorchester is one of Boston's largest neighborhoods, with a population of 134,000 people. The chance of becoming the victim of a property crime is 1 in 34, with the chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime being 1 in 121. The safest parts of Dorchester include Savin Hill, Clam Point, and Ashmont Hill. Many of Boston's labor unions are headquartered in Dorchester. 

hash-markSafest Places to Live in Boston Bottom Line

Boston's access to employment, higher education, and numerous cultural attractions make it an amazing place to visit or live. However, safety is important, and it comes at a cost, as most of the safest areas in Boston are very expensive. However, some pockets of Boston offer safety and affordability. So while many of the safest Boston neighborhoods on this list are quite expensive, others, like Jamaica Plains, offer more affordable options for housing.