Is it okay to walk in Chinatown, Boston?

Crime reported to the police, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026

Moderate for Boston

Reported crime around the center of Chinatown is higher than in 78% of areas in Boston, taking into account how many people are usually around. 1,359 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 Chinatown.

See Chinatown 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	Moderate	higher than in 83% of areas
PropertyBurglary, theft, shoplifting, vandalism, arson	Moderate	higher than in 66% of areas
VehicleCar theft and break-ins	Low	lower than in 53% of areas
Weapons & drugsWeapons, drug and public-order offenses	High	higher than in 90% of areas

Day and night

By day (6am–6pm): Low, lower than in 51% of areas.
At night (6pm–6am): High, higher than in 93% of areas.

Most reports here are from 5pm–6pm.

What gets reported here

Shoplifting: 442 (33%)
Drug offense: 241 (18%)
Simple assault: 230 (17%)
Theft: 103 (8%)
Aggravated assault: 95 (7%)

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

Around Chinatown

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

Phillips Square Moderate
Leather District Moderate
Park Square Moderate
Downtown Crossing Moderate
Bay Village Moderate
Dewey Square Moderate
Downtown Low
Post Office Square 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.