Go, but pay attention.
Numbeo's Safety Index puts Boston at 60/100 for crime — that makes it read sketchier than United States's national picture overall (71/100 vs 73/100).
City page · part of United States
The one number a country page can't give you
What people who actually live in Boston report
Numbeo aggregates thousands of resident-submitted perception surveys into a per-city Crime Index (higher = worse) and its inverse, a Safety Index — the only real city-granularity crime signal feeding this page, alongside United States's national advisory, political, health, and police-trust data.
Crime Index
40.3
Safety Index
59.7
Sub-scores
Same real inputs as United States's national page, with crime swapped for Boston's own Numbeo number above.
Local know-how
Staying safe in Boston, specifically
- • In Boston, like the rest of the country, dial 911 if there is an emergency. This free call will summon police, medical, and fire services to assist you.
- • For a major American city, Boston's crime rate is very low. Crimes like murder and identity theft are uncommon, but others like robbery, assault, and muggings are frequent in some areas.
- • Big tourist attractions draw crowds, and said crowds may draw thieves, so keep your eye on more than just that entertaining street performer!
- • As one of the USA's premier sports cities, Boston houses some of the most passionate and righteous sports fans you will ever meet.
- • While on the train or subway, know your stop.
Legal status (national law)
Legal in some states since 1962, nationwide since 2003+ UN decl. sign.
Source: Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country →Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
A / B · 120V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 911 / ambulance: 911 / fire: 911
Tipping
Tipping is widely practiced in the United States. Standards vary, but gratuities are always given to servers in restaurants and bars, taxi drivers, parking valets, and bellstaff in hotels. When traveling in the U.S., try to keep some $1 and $5 bills in your wallet for small tips.
SIM / Data
The three largest mobile phone networks in the U.S. are AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile. These all have good coverage of practically all urban/suburban and many rural areas of the country, although each network has strong and weak areas. There are many mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) that rebrand service on the major carriers' networks.
Cash vs. Card
The U.S. currency is the United States dollar ($), divided into 100 cents (¢). Foreign currencies are almost never accepted, though some major hotel chains may accept traveller's checks in other currencies. Some establishments close to the Canadian and Mexican borders accept their currencies, though usually at poor exchange rates. Japanese yen is sometimes accepted in Hawaii.
How this compares to United States
Numbeo's Safety Index puts Boston at 60/100 for crime — that makes it read sketchier than United States's national picture overall (71/100 vs 73/100).
See the full United States page and all receipts →