Massachusetts’s Safest Cities of 2025

Alina Bradford
Cathy Habas
Mar 17, 2025
Icon Time To Read4 min read
Icon CheckEdited ByKit Smith
Icon CheckData Analysis ByDaniel Delgado

For over 11 years, SafeWise experts have conducted independent research and testing to write unbiased, human reviews (not robots). Learn more.

11th annual Safest Cities report banner

Here are the 10 Safest Cities in Massachusetts for 2025

See crime rates for the safest cities.

In our latest State of Safety survey, Massachusetts residents reported some of the highest levels of concern about violent crime even though they're among those least likely to experience it. That high concern doesn't appear to motivate Bay Staters to carry personal protection, as they're the least likely to use self-defense tools among other Americans. 

Meanwhile, violent crime is trending downward in 13 of Massachusetts' 20 safest cities.

In this report

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NOTE: If your city is missing from our full report, it means that it was below the population threshold or didn’t submit a complete crime report to the FBI in 2023.

Do people feel safe in Massachusetts? Survey insights for 2025

Bar chart comparing how safe Massachusetts residents feel, with 61% feeling safe versus the 48% national average.

Bar chart comparing how safe Massachusetts residents feel, with 61% feeling safe versus the 48% national average. Image: SafeWise

We didn't have enough data to accurately calculate statewide crime rates this year, but our annual State of Safety survey sheds some light on crime experiences and concerns in The Bay State. 

More than 6 in 10 (61%) Massachusetts residents feel safe in the state, which is the sixth highest confidence level nationwide. However, Bay Staters are more likely to worry about crime and safety in general compared to the average American (MA 50%, US 47%). Gun violence is the number-one concern among Massachusetts residents even though they experience it at relatively low rates.

If Massachusetts' 20 safest cities are any indication, violent crime may be decreasing across The Bay State. More cities reported a decrease in violent crime than a decrease in property crime. 

As for first-hand crime experiences reported in our survey, Bay Staters had the lowest level of property crime experiences in the nation and some of the lowest violent crime and gun violence experiences. In contrast, package theft occurs at a relatively high rate in Massachusetts but remains the least concerning crime.  

Find safety and security resources in Massachusetts.

Property crime in Massachusetts: Fear vs. reality

Massachusetts residents reported an increase in experiences with property crime and package theft in the 8 months prior to our survey. Unsurprisingly, their concern about these crimes is also on the rise. However, our survey results suggest Bay Staters are the least likely to experience property crime nationwide.

  • The percentage of Bay Staters who experienced property crime in the 8 months prior to our survey increased from 11% to 16%, while package theft experiences increased from 31% to 40%.
  • Bay Staters reported the lowest percentage of property crime experiences in the nation, but their package theft experiences exceed the national average (MA 40%, US 37%).
  • 41% of survey respondents said they increased security measures in the 8 months prior to the survey (US 37%).
  • Bay Staters prefer to protect their property with security cameras (45%), security systems (31%) and guard dogs (23%).
"My biggest concern is someone having access to my building. There are no cameras."
—Massachusetts resident*

What security measures are used most often in The Bay State?

Top security measures used in Massachusetts: security cameras, security systems, and guard dogs, compared to national trends.

Top security measures used in Massachusetts: security cameras, security systems, and guard dogs, compared to national trends. Image: SafeWise

What crimes are Massachusetts residents concerned about most?

Bar chart of top crime concerns in Massachusetts, showing violent crime, property crime, gun violence, and package theft rates.

Bar chart of top crime concerns in Massachusetts, showing violent crime, property crime, gun violence, and package theft rates. Image: SafeWise

Violent crime in Massachusetts: Fear vs. reality

Bay Staters reported no change in their violent crime experiences year over year, but an increasing percentage of people worry about it on a daily basis.

  • 9% of Massachusetts residents experienced violent crime in the 8 months prior to our survey, which is the same percentage as the previous year (US 14%).
  • Massachusetts reported the third lowest percentage of violent crime experiences nationwide. 
  • 61% of Bay Staters worry about violent crime on a daily basis, up from 49% the year before (US 59%). 
  • 2 in 10 Bay Staters regularly carry some form of personal protection—below the national average of 35%.
  • Massachusetts residents are those least likely to carry personal protection in the United States.
  • Bay Staters prefer to protect themselves with pepper spray (10%), firearms (8%), and pocket knives (7%). 
"My biggest safety concern was the amount of shootings there are in my area."
—Massachusetts resident*

Attitudes about gun violence in Massachusetts

  • 6% of the Massachusetts residents we surveyed had an experience with gun violence in the 8 months prior to our survey (US 11%).
  • 67% of Bay Staters worry about gun violence on a daily basis. Only 4 other states reported higher levels of concern: Maryland, Texas, New Jersey, and Illinois. 
  • Contrarily, Bay Staters are among those least likely to experience gun violence first-hand. Only three other states reported lower levels of gun violence experience: Delaware, Rhode Island, and Nebraska.
  • Bay Staters are among those least likely to use firearms for property protection (12%) and personal protection (8%).
  • There were 6 mass shooting events in Massachusetts in 2024, down from 7 the previous year.
"No big major worries, but I often think about how we should have better gun control to prevent random shootings in public areas."
—Massachusetts resident*

*Quotes collected from our latest State of Safety survey.

A closer look at the safest cities in Massachusetts

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

  • 154 cities met the criteria for ranking this year.
  • Northborough is Massachusetts' safest city for the second year in a row. 
  • 40% of the safest cities reported a year-over-year decrease in violent crime and an increase in property crime.
  • 5 of the safest cities saw decreases in both types of crime: Sharon, Charlton, Winchester, Holden, and Andover.
  • This is the third year in a row where Holliston, Winchester, and Andover have seen declines in property crime, and the third year in a row where Sharon and Lexington have seen decreases in violent crime.
  • 5 of the safest cities reported zero murders, rapes, and robberies: Northborough, Wayland, Sharon, Medway, and Ipswich.
  • Northborough and Ipswich reported zero motor vehicle thefts.

The 20 safest cities in Massachusetts

Map of the safest cities in Massachusetts for 2025, listing top 20 ranked cities based on SafeWise crime data.

Map of the safest cities in Massachusetts for 2025, listing top 20 ranked cities based on SafeWise crime data. Image: SafeWise

Northborough, Massachusetts
#1
Northborough
(
-0-
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    15,694
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.2, 0.3, 0.3
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.9, 0.1, 2.1
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Clinton, Massachusetts
#2
Clinton
(
+1
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    15,576
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.3, 0.5, 0.3
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.6, 0.3, 0.5
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Wayland Massachusetts
#3
Wayland
(
-1
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    13,597
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.1, 0.1, 0.0
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    2.4, 1.6, 0.0
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Sharon, Massachusetts
#4
Sharon
(
+3
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    18,449
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.3, 0.4, 0.7
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    2.8, 2.9, 2.7
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Lexington, MA map
#5
Lexington
(
+5
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    34,044
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.3, 0.4, 0.7
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    3.1, 3.1, 3.0
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Medway, MA
#6
Medway
(
+5
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    13,630
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.2, 0.7, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    3.5, 2.2, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Holliston, MA map
#7
Holliston
(
+2
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    14,849
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.3, 0.3, 0.7
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    3.3, 3.6, 3.8
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Scituate, MA map
#8
Scituate
(
-0-
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    20,065
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.6, 0.7, 0.7
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    2.3, 1.6, 1.7
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Charlton, Massachusetts
#9
Charlton
(
+23
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    13,434
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.6, 0.8, 0.6
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    2.1, 4.1, 2.7
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Winchester, MA map
#10
Winchester
(
-4
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    22,585
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.2, 0.4, 0.3
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    4.0, 2.7, 3.6
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Westford, Massachusetts
#11
Westford
(
+4
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    24,262
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.5, 0.7, 0.3
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    3.0, 2.8, 2.4
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Marshfield, Massachusetts
#12
Marshfield
(
+8
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    26,764
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.9, 0.9, 1.0
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    1.3, 2.5, 2.2
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Wellesley, MA map
#13
Wellesley
(
+12
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    31,209
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.3, 0.6, 0.2
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    4.6, 4.1, 4.2
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Holden, Massachusetts
#14
Holden
(
+10
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    19,941
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.9, 1.1, 0.6
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    1.9, 2.3, 1.5
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Map of Rehobath, Massachusetts, one of the safest cities in 2025, showing its location.
#15
Rehoboth
(
NEW
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    13,330
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.6, N/A, N/A
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    3.3, N/A, N/A
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Pembroke, Massachusetts Map
#16
Pembroke
(
-2
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    19,052
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.6, 0.8, 0.5
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    3.3, 2.4, 2.6
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#17
Andover
(
+31
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    36,398
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.3, 1.1, 0.2
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    4.8, 5.1, 5.2
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Ipswich, MA
#18
Ipswich
(
-13
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    13,941
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.7, 0.4, 1.0
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    3.2, 2.5, 3.8
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Norton, MA map
#19
Norton
(
-2
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    19,124
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    1.1, 1.1, 1.3
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    1.1, 1.5, 1.2
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Reading, MA map
#20
Reading
(
+8
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    25,135
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    0.3, 0.2, 0.3
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    5.3, 6.4, 4.7
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime

How we determined the safest cities

Learn how we identified the safest cities on our methodology page.

How to make a safe home anywhere

Over 6 in 10 Americans surveyed don't have a home security system, despite over 50% of all burglaries being residential. Unfortunately, a majority of people who have a security system added it after they had a break-in. One of the best ways to stop a burglary before it happens—and get immediate help if a break-in is detected—is to add a monitored home security system.

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Get a home security system

Find out which companies we recommend for every budget and lifestyle in our roundup of the best security systems—and learn the basics of how to choose a security system

Compare top security systems

Brand
Installation type
Self-monitoring option
Monthly cost Icon Tooltip  Dark
Contract required
Learn more
SimpliSafe
DIY
Icon Yes  LightYes
No
Vivint
Pro
Icon No  LightNo
No *
Cove
DIY
Icon No  LightNo
No *
ADT Shield
Pro
Icon No  LightNo
Yes

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Full ADT disclaimer

Find the safest cities in each state

Click on the state below to check out the safest cities for each state.

Find all endnotes and sources in our full methodology.

FBI Crime Data Explorer, "Documents & Downloads." Accessed March 17, 2025.

  • 2023 Crime in the United States Annual Reports
    • Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
  • 2023 NIBRS Estimation Tables

Bureau of Justice Statistics, "National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)." Accessed March 17, 2025.

Gun Violence Archive, "Mass Shootings." Accessed March 17, 2025.

Alina Bradford
Written by
Alina is a safety and security expert with over 25 years of experience. She has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top Ten Reviews, and many others. After testing thousands of devices, apps, services, and more, her goal is to make safety and security gadgets less mystifying one article at a time. In the early 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her first responder certification and paving the way to her current career. Plus, she has tested hundreds of pieces of security and safety equipment over the years. Places published: CBS, MTV, CVS, Rachael Ray, eBay, Reader’s Digest, ConsumerAffairs, and more. Certifications: Fire Service Training, Oklahoma State University. Awards: Received the Experience Leader certificate from Authority, putting her “in the top 25% among the thousands of professional content creators analyzed by Authory for the Fall 2023 audit.” You can view more of Alina's work at alinabradford.com.

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