The 10 Safest Cities In Massachusetts For 2024
The safest cities in Massachusetts are Boxford and Northborough for 2024 using Saturday Night Science.
While most places in Massachusetts are downright lovely, some spots in The Bay State deserve special attention for standing out as exceptionally safe. This is why we created a list of the top ten safest places to live in Massachusetts for 2024.
How exactly is one to tell where the safest places are to live in Massachusetts? Well, data, of course.
We've broken down the safest cities in The Baked Bean State based on the most recent FBI data on property and violent crime in places with more than 5,000 residents. And at this point, we're quite the experts on ranking safe cities; it's the tenth time we've ranked the safest places in Massachusetts.
Whether your looking to move to a quintessential "Old World" type place like New Bedford, a family-friendly town like Wellesley, or a place for young professionals like Waltham, there is a safe place for everyone.
So, where can your kids play outside safely until the street lights come on in Massachusetts? Keep reading.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table
Here are the 10 safest cities to live in Massachusetts for 2024:
- Boxford
- Northborough
- Groveland
- Wayland
- Rockport
- Carlisle
- Clinton
- Blackstone
- Lincoln
- Douglas
When the good people of these Massachusetts places aren't rooting for Harvard's Pilgrims in Cambridge or enjoying a piping hot bowl of chowder in Boston, they can be found keeping some of the coolest places in Massachusetts safe.
What city is the safest place to live in Massachusetts for 2024? According to the most recent FBI data, The safest place to live in Massachusetts is Boxford.
Check out the rest of our safe Massachusetts cities to see how your city ranked.
For more reading on safe places to live in and around Massachusetts, check out:
- Safest States In America
- Safest Cities In America
- Best Places To Live In Massachusetts
- Cheapest Places To Live In Massachusetts
The 10 Safest Cities In Massachusetts For 2024
Population: 8,134
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 12 (fourth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 49 (fourth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Boxford: Crime | Real Estate
/10
The safest city in Massachusetts is Boxford.
Believe it or not, coming in first is actually a bit of tumble for the city as it topped the list last year. There is still basically no violent crime in town, which is the best in the state, but property crime climb a small tick.
Boxford's population is extremely well educated with a good 40% plus of the residents having at least a bachelor's. That probably has something to do with the whole no violent crime thing.
Population: 15,699
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 31 (12th safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 12 (second safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Northborough: Data | Crime | Real Estate
/10
Northborough, a historic town in Central Massachusetts, only counted 5 violent crimes and a modest 2 incidents of property crime, reflecting its position as the second safest city in the state.
Its safety and small-town essence are preserved from its founding in 1656 by the Nipmuc people and Europeans through to the present day, supported by solid police work and community efforts that yield a total crime rate of 44/100k people per capita and ranks 12th safest for violent crime and second safest for property crime within Massachusetts.
Population: 6,967
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 14 (sixth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 143 (ninth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Groveland: Real Estate
Groveland may only place third on this list, but if violent crime is especially worrisome to you, then Groveland is definitely the place to be. The town had zilch in terms of violence in the last year of available data. Nada. Everyone's too tired from action-packed weekends at Pines Recreation Area to start an underground fight club.
Now if Groveland can improve its property crime numbers, it can definitely work its way up this list.
Groveland is about an hour north of Boston.
Population: 13,601
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 7 (second safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 169 (15th safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Wayland: Real Estate
The first stop on our trip around the safest places to live in Massachusetts takes us to Wayland.
The city of some 13,000 people had the 15th safest property crime rate in the state and second safest violent crime rate.
Wayland is a town in Middlesex County and Wikipedia names like 20 to 30 people of note who called the town home at point or another. So it packs a big punch for a city of its size.
Population: 6,961
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 28 (11th safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 114 (sixth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Rockport: Crime | Real Estate
/10
Known for its safety, Rockport boasts the title of the fifth safest city for 2024. With 2 violent crimes, it earned a state ranking of 11th safest for violent crimes.
The city's unique past as a granite and fishing center, alongside community vigilance, has fostered an environment where property crime is minimal, placing it at sixth safest in the state. Rockport's 6,961 residents relish in this tranquility, enriched by its historical tapestry and coastal setting.
Population: 5,149
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 38 (16th safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 77 (fifth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Carlisle: Real Estate
Located in Middlesex County, Carlisle stands out as the sixth safest city in Massachusetts. Dating back to English settlers in 1651 and officially incorporated in 1805, Carlisle is situated 19 miles northwest of Boston, blending suburban proximity with a solid community-oriented character.
The town's impressive 116/100k people crime rate per capita reflects the efficacy of local law enforcement and the community's emphasis on safety, affirming its status as one of Massachusetts' most secure locations. Only 2 violent crime cases occurred in the last reporting year, and Carlisle also ranks 5 statewide with only 4 property crimes.
Population: 15,432
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 51 (24th safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 32 (third safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Clinton: Data | Crime | Real Estate
/10
If you make your way to Clinton, you won't have to worry about crime. It's one of the safest communities in the state.
Fan of baseball history? You might want to add Clinton, Massachusetts, to your next historical road trip. It boasts Fuller Field, which saw its first game in 1878 and has hosted teams ever since. That makes it the oldest baseball field in the world that's been used continuous since it was built.
Located along the Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton sits about an hour west of Boston. With a population of 15,432, it reported a tiny number of crimes over the course of a year. It saw 8 violent crimes and 5 property crimes.
These figures equate to a per-capita crime rate of 84/100k people, making Clinton the number 7 safest community in Massachusetts.
Population: 9,222
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 54 (25th safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 130 (eighth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Blackstone: Real Estate
Blackstone, a historic town in Worcester County known for its place in the Industrial Revolution by the Blackstone River, boasts exceptionally low crime rates, with no murder. It has been ranked as the 25th safest in terms of violent crime. Property crimes are also infrequent, totaling just 12 occurrences, which secures its position as the eighth safest location for property safety in Massachusetts.
The town's incorporation dates back to 1845, and it holds a population of 9,222. Considering a low overall crime rate of 184/100k people per capita, Blackstone is recognized as the eighth safest city in Massachusetts as of 2024.
Population: 6,823
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 14 (seventh safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 249 (34th safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Lincoln: Real Estate
Lincoln, in Massachusetts's Middlesex County, has a strong sense of community among its population of 6,823. Its low crime rates, with just 1 violent crimes and no murder, ranks it seventh safest in the state for violent crme safety. Property crimes are similarly scarce at 17 incidents, placing it at 34th safest in Massachusetts. The combination of its conservation-rich environment, history linked to Concord, and the ninth spot for overall safety in Massachusetts make Lincoln highly desirable.
Population: 9,146
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 43 (21st safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 218 (22nd safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Douglas: Real Estate
Douglas, a quaint town in Southern Worcester County, is known for its safety, holding the title of the tenth safest city statewide with robust, comprehensive policing efforts ensuring negligible murder rates, low 4, and minor 20 occurrences.
The town's allure is enhanced by its small population of 9,146. Its statewide standing is exemplified by its impressive #21 violent crime rank and #22 violent crime rank, creating a secure destination for residents in 2024.
Methodology: How we calculated the safest cities in Massachusetts for 2024
While there are surveys and public polls on what cities in Massachusetts are the safest, we wanted to rely on something other than speculation and opinion. Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from the FBI's most recent crime report in Massachusetts.
Specifically, we used Saturday Night Science to analyze the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, which summarizes the number of property and violent crimes in each city annually. We used two criteria:
- Violent crimes per capita (murders, assaults, rapes, armed robberies)
- Property crimes per capita (thefts, burglaries, motor vehicle thefts)
For example, there were 5 crimes committed in Boxford, with a reported population of 8,134. That means the number of crimes per capita is 0.0006, which translates into a 1 in 1,626 chance of being the victim of a crime.
We only looked at Massachusetts cities that have populations of more than 5,000. This filter left us with 253 of the biggest cities in Massachusetts to rank.
We ranked each city for each criterion from 1 to 253 where 1 in any particular category is the safest.
Next, we averaged each place's two criteria to create a Safety Index. We crowned the place with the lowest overall Safety Score, "The Safest Place In Massachusetts," with any ties going to the bigger city.
The safest city in Massachusetts, based on our criteria, is Boxford. The most dangerous city in Massachusetts? Holyoke, where residents had a 1 in 21 chance of being the victim of a crime.
This article has been update for 2024. This report marks our tenth time ranking the safest places to live in Massachusetts. All the data comes from the FBI's Crime In The USA 2022 report.
Summary: The Safest Cities In The Bay State
Looking at the data, you can tell that Boxford is as safe as they come in Massachusetts, according to science and data.
But as most Massachusetts residents would agree, almost every place here has its safe and not safe parts. So just make sure you're informed ahead of time.
The safest places in Massachusetts are .
Here's a look at the most dangerous cities in Massachusetts according to the data:
- Holyoke
- North Adams
- Springfield
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Massachusetts
- Best Places To Retire In Massachusetts
- Richest Cities In Massachusetts
Where Are The 10 Safest Cities In Massachusetts For 2024?
| Rank | City | Population | Violent Crimes Per 100k | Property Crimes Per 100k | Murders Per 100k | Murders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boxford, MA | 8,134 | 12 | 49 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Northborough, MA | 15,699 | 31 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Groveland, MA | 6,967 | 14 | 143 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Wayland, MA | 13,601 | 7 | 169 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Rockport, MA | 6,961 | 28 | 114 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Carlisle, MA | 5,149 | 38 | 77 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Clinton, MA | 15,432 | 51 | 32 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Blackstone, MA | 9,222 | 54 | 130 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Lincoln, MA | 6,823 | 14 | 249 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Douglas, MA | 9,146 | 43 | 218 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Berkley, MA | 6,844 | 58 | 160 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Grafton, MA | 19,965 | 60 | 150 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Scituate, MA | 20,147 | 69 | 158 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Ipswich, MA | 13,735 | 43 | 254 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Sharon, MA | 18,553 | 37 | 274 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Winchester, MA | 22,496 | 40 | 271 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Southborough, MA | 10,448 | 47 | 267 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Medway, MA | 13,261 | 67 | 218 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Lexington, MA | 33,889 | 44 | 286 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Holliston, MA | 14,754 | 27 | 352 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | Groton, MA | 11,074 | 81 | 144 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Millis, MA | 8,890 | 78 | 179 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Rowley, MA | 6,132 | 65 | 244 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Dover, MA | 5,902 | 84 | 118 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | Sudbury, MA | 19,314 | 72 | 232 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Westford, MA | 24,270 | 70 | 238 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Norfolk, MA | 11,621 | 77 | 249 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | Pembroke, MA | 19,289 | 82 | 233 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | Medfield, MA | 13,107 | 76 | 267 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Mendon, MA | 6,307 | 63 | 348 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | Topsfield, MA | 6,581 | 60 | 364 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | Northbridge, MA | 16,357 | 55 | 397 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | Norton, MA | 19,374 | 108 | 149 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | Wellesley, MA | 31,354 | 60 | 376 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | Duxbury, MA | 16,861 | 100 | 201 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | Littleton, MA | 10,154 | 39 | 443 | 0 | 0 |
| 37 | Dighton, MA | 8,240 | 97 | 230 | 0 | 0 |
| 38 | Sutton, MA | 9,418 | 42 | 456 | 0 | 0 |
| 39 | Milton, MA | 28,454 | 24 | 492 | 0 | 0 |
| 40 | Holden, MA | 19,998 | 105 | 225 | 0 | 0 |
| 41 | Ashland, MA | 18,373 | 103 | 228 | 0 | 0 |
| 42 | Norwell, MA | 11,866 | 33 | 480 | 0 | 0 |
| 43 | Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA | 5,365 | 0 | 521 | 0 | 0 |
| 44 | Bedford, MA | 14,034 | 14 | 513 | 0 | 0 |
| 45 | Cohasset, MA | 8,417 | 59 | 439 | 0 | 0 |
| 46 | Granby, MA | 6,036 | 66 | 414 | 0 | 0 |
| 47 | Billerica, MA | 41,110 | 55 | 459 | 0 | 0 |
| 48 | Georgetown, MA | 8,409 | 83 | 344 | 0 | 0 |
| 49 | Upton, MA | 8,137 | 122 | 184 | 0 | 0 |
| 50 | Marshfield, MA | 27,064 | 121 | 218 | 0 | 0 |
| 51 | Kingston, MA | 14,484 | 89 | 296 | 6 | 1 |
| 52 | Sterling, MA | 8,372 | 95 | 286 | 0 | 0 |
| 53 | Weston, MA | 11,589 | 77 | 396 | 0 | 0 |
| 54 | Middleton, MA | 9,790 | 81 | 377 | 0 | 0 |
| 55 | Acushnet, MA | 10,612 | 94 | 310 | 0 | 0 |
| 56 | Marblehead, MA | 20,289 | 69 | 448 | 0 | 0 |
| 57 | Newbury, MA | 6,717 | 89 | 357 | 0 | 0 |
| 58 | Hamilton, MA | 7,551 | 119 | 251 | 0 | 0 |
| 59 | Melrose, MA | 29,013 | 58 | 496 | 0 | 0 |
| 60 | Stow, MA | 6,989 | 57 | 500 | 0 | 0 |
| 61 | Reading, MA | 25,018 | 15 | 587 | 0 | 0 |
| 62 | North Reading, MA | 15,197 | 92 | 361 | 0 | 0 |
| 63 | Charlton, MA | 13,394 | 82 | 425 | 0 | 0 |
| 64 | Harvard, MA | 6,870 | 145 | 189 | 14 | 1 |
| 65 | Hopedale, MA | 6,021 | 83 | 431 | 0 | 0 |
| 66 | Shrewsbury, MA | 39,745 | 10 | 649 | 0 | 0 |
| 67 | Brewster, MA | 10,647 | 75 | 469 | 0 | 0 |
| 68 | North Andover, MA | 30,695 | 91 | 420 | 0 | 0 |
| 69 | Acton, MA | 23,833 | 62 | 532 | 0 | 0 |
| 70 | Bolton, MA | 5,710 | 87 | 437 | 0 | 0 |
| 71 | Townsend, MA | 8,892 | 123 | 337 | 0 | 0 |
| 72 | Rehoboth, MA | 12,936 | 108 | 394 | 0 | 0 |
| 73 | Marion, MA | 5,567 | 71 | 520 | 0 | 0 |
| 74 | Franklin, MA | 33,107 | 87 | 456 | 0 | 0 |
| 75 | Sandwich, MA | 21,013 | 114 | 385 | 0 | 0 |
| 76 | Arlington, MA | 45,238 | 59 | 594 | 0 | 0 |
| 77 | Needham, MA | 32,228 | 80 | 518 | 0 | 0 |
| 78 | Hopkinton, MA | 19,180 | 156 | 245 | 0 | 0 |
| 79 | Boxborough, MA | 5,377 | 74 | 557 | 0 | 0 |
| 80 | East Bridgewater, MA | 15,142 | 145 | 350 | 0 | 0 |
| 81 | Carver, MA | 12,215 | 147 | 327 | 0 | 0 |
| 82 | Dudley, MA | 11,914 | 176 | 209 | 0 | 0 |
| 83 | Merrimac, MA | 6,726 | 148 | 297 | 0 | 0 |
| 84 | Belmont, MA | 26,557 | 56 | 685 | 0 | 0 |
| 85 | Hanson, MA | 11,196 | 142 | 375 | 0 | 0 |
| 86 | Newton, MA | 86,710 | 64 | 655 | 1 | 1 |
| 87 | Beverly, MA | 42,441 | 101 | 485 | 0 | 0 |
| 88 | Pepperell, MA | 11,600 | 86 | 534 | 0 | 0 |
| 89 | Tyngsboro, MA | 12,490 | 128 | 432 | 0 | 0 |
| 90 | Hudson, MA | 19,623 | 147 | 366 | 0 | 0 |
| 91 | Lancaster, MA | 8,504 | 129 | 435 | 0 | 0 |
| 92 | Uxbridge, MA | 14,418 | 159 | 319 | 0 | 0 |
| 93 | Williamstown, MA | 8,020 | 74 | 648 | 0 | 0 |
| 94 | Ashburnham, MA | 6,402 | 171 | 265 | 0 | 0 |
| 95 | Halifax, MA | 8,092 | 86 | 556 | 0 | 0 |
| 96 | Westport, MA | 16,475 | 115 | 473 | 0 | 0 |
| 97 | Winthrop, MA | 17,954 | 122 | 462 | 0 | 0 |
| 98 | West Boylston, MA | 7,872 | 114 | 495 | 0 | 0 |
| 99 | Rochester, MA | 6,056 | 82 | 643 | 0 | 0 |
| 100 | Andover, MA | 36,631 | 117 | 499 | 0 | 0 |
Breaking Down Crime In The Safest And Most Dangerous Cities In Massachusetts
Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.
He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.
If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.
You can find out more about him on LinkedIn.
Connect With 
100 Calorie Emails.
Once Per Week.
Guilt Free.