Safest Places to Live in Massachusetts
Massachusetts ranks among the most educated and affluent states, but it still faces crime concerns. The property crime rate sits at about 10.5 incidents per 1,000 people, and nearly 46% of residents say they worry about safety. From a Boston brownstone to a Worcester suburb, buyers value security more than ever. For safe and peaceful living, explore Houzeo's list of the safest places in the Bay State.
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FAQsRankings: 10 Safest Places in Massachusetts
Wayland is one of the safest Massachusetts towns with a record that reflects its quiet, residential character. Violent crime here is rare, and the Wayland Police Department keeps consistent coverage across its largely suburban and...
Personal Safety : 95
Property Safety : 94
Community Safety : 95
$1,095,000
Median Home Rent
$5,000
Westford is a Middlesex County town that has kept crime low while growing into a sought-after suburban destination. The Westford Police Department runs proactive community programs that keep residents informed and involved in loca...
Personal Safety : 98
Property Safety : 97
Community Safety : 92
$984,900
Median Home Rent
$2,966
Northborough is a small Worcester County town that has built a quiet reputation for safety over the years. The Northborough Police Department runs consistent patrols across its suburban neighborhoods, and residents tend to be long...
Personal Safety : 99
Property Safety : 92
Community Safety : 92
$681,000
Median Home Rent
$2,400
Arlington sits between Cambridge and Lexington and manages to hold a notably better safety record than its more urban neighbors. The Arlington Police Department has invested consistently in community policing, and crime figures ha...
Personal Safety : 97
Property Safety : 91
Community Safety : 94
$1,015,000
Median Home Rent
$2,500
Franklin is a Norfolk County town that manages a strong safety record despite being one of the larger communities on this list. The Franklin Police Department is well-staffed and runs consistent neighborhood patrols that residents...
Personal Safety : 93
Property Safety : 97
Community Safety : 89
$690,000
Median Home Rent
$2,400
Clinton is a small Worcester County town that punches above its weight when it comes to community safety. The Clinton Police Department keeps active coverage across its compact layout, and the town's size means response times are ...
Personal Safety : 83
Property Safety : 100
Community Safety : 97
$415,000
Median Home Rent
$1,944
Wellesley is an affluent Norfolk County town with one of the stronger safety profiles in the greater Boston area. The Wellesley Police Department is well-resourced and maintains a visible, community-oriented presence across the to...
Personal Safety : 90
Property Safety : 94
Community Safety : 89
$1,825,000
Median Home Rent
$4,250
Newton is one of the safest cities in Massachusetts, built upon decades of stable, community-focused investment. The Newton Police Department runs well-organized community programs across the city's thirteen distinct villages, eac...
Personal Safety : 95
Property Safety : 86
Community Safety : 91
$1,450,000
Median Home Rent
$3,600
Wakefield sits just north of Boston in Middlesex County and holds a safety record that outperforms many of its neighbors closer to the city. The Wakefield Police Department keeps active coverage across the town's compact layout, a...
Personal Safety : 87
Property Safety : 91
Community Safety : 87
$810,500
Median Home Rent
$2,500
Brookline is an inner suburb that borders Boston on three sides yet maintains a safety profile that stands apart from its larger urban neighbor. The Brookline Police Department is well-funded and runs strong community engagement p...
Personal Safety : 86
Property Safety : 86
Community Safety : 90
$1,515,000
Median Home Rent
$4,350
Top 3 Safest Places to Live for Retirees in Massachusetts
Top 3 Safest Places to Live in Massachusetts for Families
Top 3 Safest Places to Live in Massachusetts for Young Adults
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Ranking Methodology
To determine the safest places to live, we applied a structured, data-driven methodology using verified crime and public safety datasets. Our analysis incorporates violent crime rates and property crime rates (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program), local law enforcement staffing levels, community safety investment scores, and resident-reported safety data. Each factor was normalized against the Massachusetts state average to control for population size and regional differences. The combined metrics were then weighted and aggregated to produce a final Safety Score out of 100, highlighting cities where crime rates are significantly below the state baseline and community safety infrastructure is strongest.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Transparent & data-driven
How we ranked the safest cities
Each city is scored against the national average across three weighted categories, built entirely from FBI NIBRS crime data spanning 18 offense categories. Every metric is converted to a per-capita rate and a common 0–100 scale, so no single offense can dominate — and a city served by a non-reporting agency is never treated as crime-free.
Scoring weights
- Personal Safety50%
Homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, kidnapping & human trafficking vs. the national rate.
- Property Security30%
Burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson & theft from buildings or vehicles vs. the national rate.
- Community Order20%
Simple assault, sex offenses, stolen property, vandalism, weapon & drug violations — the tiebreaker.
Our data source
Recalculated as each new annual NIBRS reporting year is released · agency-to-city mappings refresh quarterly.
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The market analysis provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Data is sourced from public records, industry reports, and third-party providers, and while Houzeo strives for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information presented.
All estimates, projections, and historical data are based on statistical models and should not be relied upon as predictions of future market conditions. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and real estate market conditions may change due to various economic and regulatory factors. Users are responsible for conducting their own due diligence before making any real estate or financial decisions. Houzeo is not liable for any decisions or actions taken based on the information provided. Any unauthorized use, duplication, or distribution of the data may violate copyright laws and result in legal consequences. Certain information, tools and services on this page may be powered by third-party vendors. Houzeo does not control or guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or functionality of such third-party services.