Is it okay to walk in Back Bay, Boston?

Crime reported to the police, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026

Moderate for Boston

Reported crime around the center of Back Bay is higher than in 66% of areas in Boston, taking into account how many people are usually around. 1,566 incidents were reported here in these 12 months.

“Here” is the area of about 0.7 km² (0.3 square miles) around the center of Back Bay.

See Back Bay on the map

The map shows every block, by day and at night, and gives walking directions that avoid high-crime areas.

By kind of crime

Kind	Level	Compared with the rest of Boston
ViolentHomicide, sexual assault, robbery, assault, kidnapping	Low	higher than in 62% of areas
PropertyBurglary, theft, shoplifting, vandalism, arson	Moderate	higher than in 79% of areas
VehicleCar theft and break-ins	Low	lower than in 55% of areas
Weapons & drugsWeapons, drug and public-order offenses	Low	lower than in 55% of areas

Day and night

By day (6am–6pm): Low, higher than in 52% of areas.
At night (6pm–6am): Moderate, higher than in 73% of areas.

Most reports here are from 5pm–6pm.

What gets reported here

Shoplifting: 1,131 (72%)
Simple assault: 152 (10%)
Theft: 99 (6%)
Public order: 36 (2%)
Vandalism: 31 (2%)

Following the city-wide trend over the last 6 months.

Around Back Bay

The areas right next to it range from low to moderate.

Park Square Moderate
Bay Village Moderate
South End Moderate
Louisburg Square Low
Beacon Hill Low
Kenmore Square Low
Chinatown Moderate
Fenway-Kenmore Low

How to read this

It shows crime reported to the police. Many crimes are never reported.
Levels compare areas within Boston. The same level in another city does not mean the same.
It is not a prediction, and it says nothing about any person or building.
Please do not use it for decisions about housing, lending, insurance or employment.