Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA

Boston is safer with a higher safety score by 3 points. Boston, MA has a safety score of 62/100 while San Francisco, CA has 59/100, based on FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

Boston, MA has a violent crime rate of 627.9 per 100,000 residents, while San Francisco, CA has 596.5 per 100,000. Lower rates indicate safer communities. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Boston, MA has a property crime rate of 2021.7 per 100,000, compared to 3929.1 per 100,000 in San Francisco, CA. Property crimes include burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.

Safety scores range from 0-100, combining violent crime rates, property crime rates, and population data from the FBI UCR. Higher scores mean safer cities. Grades: A (80+), B (70-79), C (60-69), D (50-59), F (below 50).

Based on crime data alone, Boston is safer. However, safety is just one factor — also consider cost of living, job market, schools, and quality of life. Visit our city pages for more details on each.