Boston dangerous neighborhoods and areas to avoid

For your next stay in the capital of Massachusetts, you want to identify dangerous neighborhoods, red-light districts and areas to avoid in Boston.

Indeed, whether for a tourist stay or a business trip, as in all big cities, it is prudent to find out in advance about the area where you are going to stay.

It is true that many people often ask themselves the following question: Is Boston a dangerous city in 2024?

The answer is not as simple as one might think. We will see in this article that although Boston has its share of crime, it is by no means one of the most dangerous cities in the world or even in the United States.

And, to help you spot dangerous neighborhoods and areas to avoid in Boston, here's a guide with a map of the city's main neighborhoods. You will also find at the end of the article my recommendation for a hotel well located in one of the best and safest neighborhoods in Boston.

Boston is not a dangerous city

To say whether Boston is a safe or dangerous city, I checked the safety rankings of American cities (Statistics, populationu.com, neighborhood scout, worldpopulationreview).

However, we are pleased to note that Boston does not appear in any of the rankings of the most dangerous cities in the United States.

We can even say that Boston is one of the safest cities in the United States. In fact, the crime rate in Boston is lower than the national average.

In fact, Boston has seen a steady decline in crime over the past few years.

This is also confirmed by the 2024 ranking Numbeo.com.

Indeed, Boston is at the bottom of the table with a very low crime index.

By comparison, Boston is even safer than Austin, San Diego, Denver ou Tampa. See map published on https://www.numbeo.com where Boston is in green:

Is Boston safe for tourists?

Overall, Boston is relatively safe to visit. However, as in many big cities, tourists should remain cautious.

This is what the French Government recommends to travelers to Boston:

« As in the territory as a whole, the risk of violence linked to firearms and crime exists in certain localized sectors. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid traveling alone, on foot and at night, in certain parts of Dorchester, Mattapan and Roxbury. You should also be vigilant during major demonstrations and in certain tourist areas, such as the North End, Chinatown and Fenway.." France Diplomacy

This is why we will discover below the dangerous neighborhoods of Boston and the areas to avoid by tourists.

Areas to avoid in Boston

Before giving you the list of dangerous neighborhoods in Boston, let's take a closer look at the south, north, east and west areas of the city.

Unlike other American cities, there is no identified area in Boston with the most dangerous neighborhoods. Indeed, in Boston, dangerous neighborhoods are found in the south, north, east or west zones. In fact, it is in the central area that there are the most.

But here is a summary of the 4 main areas with places to avoid:

• Starting with the South, there are a few neighborhoods that visitors should avoid. This is the case of Dorchester which has the reputation of being one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Boston. Another South Boston neighborhood to avoid is Roxbury, which also has a high crime rate. Although there are a few cultural attractions in Roxbury, such as the Museum of African American History, it's best to visit during the day and avoid wandering around alone at night.
• In the north of boston, there are also a few areas that visitors should avoid especially at night such as the Charlestown area. It may look quaint with its red brick buildings and cobbled streets but it's not very safe at night.
• The region East of Boston is generally safe, but there is still one area to avoid: East Boston, which has a reputation for being home to some of the most dangerous gangs in the city.
• Finally, in the southwest boston, there is one area to avoid which is Mattapan where the crime rate is higher than in many other parts of the city.

Boston's Most Dangerous Neighborhoods

By synthesizing the most recent data from Web rankings (neighborhoodscout.com, crimegrade.org, areavibes.com), here is the list of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Boston in 2024:

• Central
• Roxbury
• Dorchester
• Mattapan
• Jamaica Plain
• Hyde Park
• south boston
• South End
• Charlestown
• Roslindale

Red light districts in Boston

Among the places to avoid in Boston, we must also mention the red light districts of the city which are located Ann Street - North Street and all around.

Indeed, whether you are with family or not, these bad neighborhoods are not recommended at night.

Boston's Safest Neighborhoods

Still according to the same sources (forums, real estate agencies, rankings and web statistics), the safest neighborhoods in Boston in 2024 are The Back Bay – Allston-Brighton – Hyde Park – Fenway – West End – Bay Village – Hillside School – Fenway-Kenmore – Beacon Hill – Forest Hills – North End – Woodbourne Northwest.

Among the many beautiful neighborhoods of Boston, Back Bay et Beacon Hill are the 2 favorite districts of tourists:

• Back Bay : This neighborhood is home to some of the city's finest historic buildings, including Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library and iconic landmarks like the John Hancock Tower and the Prudential Center. Back Bay is also known for its upscale shopping along Newbury Street, which attracts visitors from around the world. The neighborhood is also a safe place to explore, with a low crime rate and a heavy police presence. With its lively atmosphere and excellent level of security, Back Bay is an excellent choice for tourists.
• Beacon Hill : With its low crime rate and friendly atmosphere, Beacon Hill is also considered one of the safest neighborhoods in Boston. It is a historic district that is known for its cobbled streets, gas lamps and beautiful brownstone houses. It's also home to some of Boston's best restaurants and boutiques, making it a great spot for tourists who want to shop and dine in style.

Which hotel to visit the city on foot?

Here is one of the best hotels conveniently located in the historic and safe neighborhood of Back Bay: The Lenox

If I recommend this hotel, it's because its location allows you to visit Boston on foot and enjoy the pubs, restaurants and shops all around. Plus, Copley Station is just across the street from the hotel. It is therefore not only a very nice hotel but above all one of the best choices for a tourist stay in Boston.

This article was written by summarizing the data published on the internet in 2024, in particular on rankings, statistics, press articles and forums. In fact, it does not contain any judgment or discriminatory remarks.