Your guide to the 5 safest neighborhoods in Boston (2024)

Find out which are the 5 safest areas in Boston based on their communities, entertainment options, connectivity, and affordability.

Ivandzhelin

4 minute read

·

Updated on 21 Jun 2024

·

Living

When searching for homes for rent in Boston, prioritizing the safety of your neighborhood is crucial. Yet, focusing solely on this aspect might limit your options. That's why we've found the 5 safest neighborhoods in Boston, considering not only their level of safety but also 3 other key factors:

• Environment: including community, green spaces, and proximity to essential services.
• Quality of life: including entertainment and dining options, recreational activities, and places to relax.
• Livability: including public transport, walkability, and rental prices.

With a safety index of 58, Boston is safe to live in. The crime rate in Boston is 4% higher than the national average, but 57% of Boston’s residents feel safe walking home and have never experienced crime. Massachusett’s capital is safer than cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, which have higher crime rates. Read on to find out the best and safest areas to live in Boston.

• Neighborhood vibe: Artistic, youthful, surrounded by stunning landscapes
• Average rent: $2,270
• Transportation: 17 minutes to Downtown by car via Jamaicaway or 33 minutes via the Orange line

Jamaica Plain (or JP) is considered one of the best places to live in Boston for people in their 20s because of its low crime rates, affordable rentals, and exciting nightlife. It is the largest neighborhood in Boston, with over 41,112 residents. Despite being so densely populated, Jamaica Plain is one of the safest neighborhoods in Boston.

JP offers a wide array of activities. If you decide to go on a culinary adventure, make sure you stop by Vee Vee for American food, Blue Nile for Ethiopian, or Chilacates for Mexican.

If you aren’t hungry, you should stroll in Jamaica Pond Park or the Arnold Arboretum. You can catch plays at the Footlight Club or movies at Wenham Street Cinema. At 40 South St., you can find some of the best secondhand furniture in Boston to decorate and beautiful vintage pieces at Boomerangs.

Jamaica Plain has affordable prices for its excellent location. Those looking for more space should check out the available 1-bedroom apartments costing $2,859 monthly on average rather than opting for a studio, which is $2,691 monthly. You can have more space at a slightly higher price. But if you’re on a tight budget, finding a private room in shared accommodation is the best as it costs between $1,100 and $1,420 monthly.

• Neighborhood vibe: Suburban, diverse, community-orientated
• Average rent: $1,687
• Transportation: 25 minutes to Downtown with car via I-93 N or 27 minutes via the Commuter Rail (Providence/Stoughton Line)

Hyde Park is a neighborhood in the southern part of Boston known for its suburban feel within an urban setting. The neighborhood has a rich tapestry of local businesses, shops, and dining options along Hyde Park Avenue and Cleary Square. For the world’s best coffee, stop by My Grandma’s of New England, and for authentic Cajun dining, go to Crab du Jour.

The neighborhood features the Martini Memorial Shell Park, where you can catch summer plays in its amphitheater, and the Rock Sport Climbing, where you can go indoor bouldering. The Stony Brook Reservation offers hiking trails and outdoor activities.

Living in Hyde Park will definitely be good for your monthly living expenses in Boston. With private rooms ranging between $900 and $1,200, rental prices in Hyde Park are the most affordable of the neighborhoods on our list. If you want a studio, your monthly rent will be $1,904 on average, and a 1-bedroom apartment will cost $2,107.

• Neighborhood vibe: Boston’s safest residential neighborhood
• Average rent: $3,125
• Transportation: 25 munites to Downtown with car via Centre Street or 38 minutes via the Commuter rail (Needham Line)

Neighboring Jamaica Plain is West Roxbury, one of the best neighborhoods in Boston for families. The area has high-ranked schools and excellent dining and entertainment options.

Residents can enjoy the peaceful surroundings of parks and green spaces, including Millennium Park and the scenic Hynes Field. West Roxbury offers an excellent education at William H. Ohrenberger Elementary and the Patrick Lyndon School.

West Roxbury is well-connected to other parts of Boston through public transportation, with several bus routes serving the area.

Renting in West Roxbury is more expensive than the other neighborhoods on our list. Private rooms range between $1,100 and $1,400, whereas studios cost $2,045. If you’re moving with your family look into 1-bedroom apartments at $2,664 monthly.

• Neighborhood vibe: Boston’s charming Little Italy
• Average rent: $2,353
• Transportation: 16 minutes to Downtown via Orange Line or 18 minutes by foot

The North End is known for its rich cultural heritage, and Italian influence is often referred to as Boston's "Little Italy.” The North End is situated along Boston Harbor, providing residents with beautiful waterfront views. The neighborhood hosts various cultural festivals and events throughout the year, celebrating Italian traditions and heritage.

With a plethora of Italian eateries, cafes, and bakeries, the North End is a haven for food enthusiasts. Try out the acclaimed pastries of Modern Pastry, the gnocchi with lobster at Aria Trattoria, or the cannoli at Mike’s Pastry. Boston Public Marke, with its array of vendors, is the perfect place to grab a bite if you aren’t sure what you want to eat.

Located centrally, the North End is one of the safest neighborhoods in Boston, but it’s on the more expensive side. Private rooms average between $1,675 and $1,775 monthly. Studios are a better but costlier option for more space and privacy, averaging $2,269. There are also 1-bedroom apartments costing on average $3,067 per month.

• Neighborhood vibe: Affordable, eclectic, vibrant
• Average rent: $1,934
• Transportation: 14 minutes to Downtown with car via I-90 E

With below-average rates of violent and property crimes, Brighton is one of the safest neighborhoods in Boston. Brighton is perfect for students and families because of its proximity to Boston University and Boston College and family-friendly amenities.

Brighton has affordable entertainment options, like grabbing a bite at Porter Belly’s pub or taking a stroll in Rogers Park. It’s also home to the Bell in Hand Tavern, a must-stop for exploring Boston’s nightlife. You can row at Community Rowing, do arts and crafts at the Corner Art Room, or borrow a book at Brighton’s branch of the Boston public library.

It’s the more affordable brother to its neighboring Brookline and Cambridge. With private rooms ranging from $950 to $1,200 monthly, Brighton is one of the cheapest neighborhoods for students. If you’re looking for more space, look into renting a studio for $2,216 on average or a 1-bedroom apartment costing $2,512 monthly.

As Boston is a safe place to live, most neighborhoods don’t have high crime rates. Yet, some neighborhoods are safer and better. Although all the neighborhoods we included are safe, West Roxbury is the safest area, followed by Brighton and Hyde Park. But that’s a neighborhood further out in Boston. If you want something more central and safe, North End is the neighborhood for you. Jamaica Plain is the way to go for a safe neighborhood within Boston’s inner city but far enough to skip the bustle.