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Thinking about moving to Boise? With its scenic beauty, growing communities, and friendly Boise cost of living, the city is quickly becoming one of the most popular places in the state to settle down.
If you’re wondering about the Boise crime rate or asking, “Is Boise Idaho safe?” you’ll be happy to hear that crime here generally sits below the national average. The violent crime and property crime trends have been heading downward, making Boise a standout among other cities when it comes to safety. Though, like anywhere, crime rates can shift depending on where you live.
Why does this matter to residents considering a move? Crime stats directly impact where you’ll feel secure shopping downtown, where your kids go to school, or which neighborhoods to balance quality, affordability, and safety. Luckily, the Boise homicide rate is impressively low, and many criminal activities, especially violent crime, are rare and often concentrated in specific zones, not the city at large.
In this post, we’ll dig into the data, compare Boise’s trends over time, and help you answer the core question: How safe is Boise Idaho?, so you can confidently plant roots in this growing capital.
Understanding the Boise Crime Rate - How Are Crime Rates Calculated?
Before taking a look at the Boise crime rate, it’s important to understand how crime rates are calculated in the first place. The Boise crime rate is reported by the FBI based on crime data that is given to them by local law enforcement agencies (property crimes and violent crimes). Once the FBI analyzes the data, it’s reported as an overall crime rate, a property crime rate, and a violent crime rate.
To get the final Boise crime rate, the FBI takes the total number of crimes committed in the city and then divides it by the population. Then, they multiply this figure by 1,000, which is why crime rates are reported as “X number of crimes per 100,000 people.” Then, the Boise crime rate is compared to both the Idaho and national average.
The Boise crime rate is a great way to get an overall idea of crime in the area, but it shouldn’t be used as your only source of information. Crime rates severely lack context, and don’t differentiate between one neighborhood and the next. In many cities, a couple of neighborhoods or streets drive up the crime rate for the entire city, even though the crime is concentrated in just a few small areas.
According to CNN, crime rates also don’t compare to those of previous decades. For example, homicide rates may seem high at the moment, but they are still far lower than when they were at their highest in the 1980s and 1990s. So, even if rates see a small increase from one year to the next, they are actually decreasing over time.
Is Boise Idaho safe? Is Boise Idaho a safe place to live? These are both popular questions you may have when moving to the area. One of the best ways to analyze this is to take a look at the Boise crime rate. Here’s an idea of the Boise crime rate, taking into consideration the overall crime rate, as well as property crimes and violent crimes in the area.
National crime rate:
Overall crime rate: 2,324 crimes per 100,000 people
Violent crime rate: 370 violent crimes per 100,000 people
Property crime rate: 1,954 property crimes per 100,000 people
Idaho crime rate:
Overall crime rate: 1,168 crimes per 100,000 people
Violent crime rate: 241 crimes per 100,000 people
Property crime rate: 927 crimes per 100,000 people
Boise crime rate:
Overall crime rate: 1,451 crimes per 100,000 people
Violent crime rate: 247 crimes per 100,000 people
Property crime rate: 1,204 crimes per 100,000 people
The city experiences a higher crime rate than the state average, but enjoys relatively low crime rates compared to the national average. Additionally, according to the latest report from the Boise Police Department,crime rates are down 7.1% from 2023 to 2024.
Boise Crime Map & Crime Reports
While the Boise crime rate is a great resource, it’s also a good idea to take a look at Boise crime statistics. Every year, the City of Boise releases a crime statistics report. These reports look at the overall Boise crime rate as well as specific offenses such as aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, and other related crimes.
You can also take a look at the police call log page, which details every call made to the police in real time.
Another great way to analyze the Boise crime rate is to take a look at a crime map. This crime map from the City of Boise website shows the areas in Boise that see the most crime. Areas in blue have lower numbers of incidents than areas in red. As you can see, nearly all of the crime in the area is concentrated in just a few small areas, while many areas in blue remain safe on a daily basis. The darkest area on this map represents downtown Boise, where crime rates are naturally higher due to the nightlife presence and larger population density.
Violent Crime in Boise Idaho
Violent crimes go into the overall Boise crime rate. The violent crime rate includes murder, aggravated assault, rape, Boise Idaho homicides, kidnapping, and battery. Boise Idaho shootings are not a part of the violent crime rate.
Boise violent crime rate:
Overall violent crime rate: 247 crimes per 100,000 people (2.3% higher than state average and 33.2% lower than national average)
Boise Idaho homicide rate: 1 per 100,000 people
Boise murders by year (2022): 3
Chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Boise: 1 in 405
The violent crime rates in the area are just above the state average and well below the national average. With the crime rate down 7.1% and arrests down 10.85% compared to last year, Boise is becoming a safer place to live.
Property Crime in Boise Idaho
Property crimes make up a majority of the overall Boise crime rate. Property crime includes vehicle theft, robbery, regular theft, burglary, vandalism, larceny, shoplifting, and carjacking.
Boise property crime rate:
Overall property crime rate: 1,204 crimes per 100,000 people (29.9% higher than state average and 38.4% lower than national average)
Total property crimes in Boise (2022): 2,878
Chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Boise: 1 in 83
Although higher than the state average, property crime in Boise is lower than the national average. Property crimes are frustrating, but are generally not a threat to your safety, and can sometimes be prevented with the proper precautions.
Areas to Avoid in Boise Idaho | Bad Neighborhoods in Boise Idaho
While Boise is known for being safe and welcoming, every city has spots where crime is more common. The worst neighborhoods in Boise Idaho tend to have higher rates of property crimes, vehicle theft, and in some cases, violent crimes. It’s important to remember that these areas don’t represent the city as a whole, but being aware of safety trends can help you make an informed choice about where to live.
Northwest
Population: 1,661
Crimes: 131% higher than Boise crime rate
With crimes 131% higher than the Boise crime rate, the Northwest neighborhood experiences more property crimes and vehicle theft than most areas of the city. While many streets remain peaceful, certain blocks near commercial hubs see more criminal activity.
Sunrise Rim
Population: 951
Crimes: 117% higher than Boise crime rate
This small neighborhood of under 1,000 residents has crimes 117% above the Boise crime rate. Issues like burglary, vehicle theft, and other property crimes are the main concerns, although violent crimes remain rare.
Veterans Park
Population: 6,106
Crimes: 103% higher than Boise crime rate
Veterans Park, with crimes 103% higher than the city average, sees a mix of property crimes and occasional vehicle theft. Its proximity to busy roads and public spaces can lead to more opportunities for opportunistic offenses.
Highlands
Population: 1,366
Crimes: 94% higher than Boise crime rate
Known for its scenic views, Highlands still has a crime rate 94% above Boise’s average. Most issues involve property crimes, placing it among bad neighborhoods in Boise Idaho, despite its otherwise appealing setting.
Is Boise Idaho safe? Boise is a very safe place to live, and there are plenty of neighborhoods in Boise where residents feel safe and sound all of the time. These are the safest places to live in Boise Idaho.
Warm Springs
Population: 893
Crimes: 74% below the Boise crime rate
Boise Heights
Population: 401
Crimes: 65% below the Boise crime rate
Quail Ridge
Population: 167
Crimes: 60% below the Boise crime rate
Harris Ranch
Population: 3,590
Crimes: 55% below the Boise crime rate
West Cloverdale
Population: 1,607
Crimes: 54% below the Boise crime rate
Boise Idaho Safety Tips - How to Avoid Crime in Boise
Although the Boise crime rate is relatively low, it’s always a good idea to take the proper precautions to stay safe. Here are a few things you can do to avoid crime in Boise Idaho.
The Boise crime rate and community policing are handled by the Boise Police Department. The department is made up of around 400 employees, 300 sworn police officers, and a civilian support staff of about 100. The staff is led by Police Chief Chris Dennison, who has over 20 years of law enforcement experience.
Boise police reports are public information, and you can view up-to-date police incidents on the City of Boise website. You can also complete a police public records request online.
Boise Crime Rate FAQs
Is Boise Idaho Safe?
Yes, Boise Idaho is very safe.
Is Downtown Boise Safe?
Downtown Boise is safe. It’s a very busy area, and there are almost always people on the streets.
What Is the Crime Rate in Boise Idaho?
The Boise crime rate is 1,451 crimes per 100,000 people.
What Is the Boise ID Murder Rate?
The Boise ID murder rate is 1 per 100,000 people. There were 3 murders in Boise Idaho in 2022.
Give BustNMoves a Call Today
Is Boise Idaho safe? Is Boise Idaho dangerous? Hopefully you now have the answers to these questions. With a relatively low Boise crime rate, you can rest assured that you’ll be safe and sound in the city. If you’re considering a move to the area, then let the experts at BustNMoves help you. Give our reliable Boise movers a call today at (208) 557-3328 to get started with a free quote.
BustNMoves Moving Company
Taylor Kerbs, Founder of BustNMoves:
Taylor Kerbs founded BustNMoves Moving Company in 2021 after identifying a growing need for professional moving services in Southeast Idaho. His journey in the moving industry began in his teenage years, where he gained hands-on experience coordinating and executing numerous residential relocations. This practical background, combined with his detailed market research and business planning, established the foundation for BustNMoves.
Under Taylor's leadership, the company has grown from a weekend operation to a full-service moving business with three dedicated trucks and year-round staff. He has personally overseen moves ranging from single-bedroom apartments to 9,000-square-foot homes throughout Idaho. Taylor's commitment to transparent pricing and customer service has helped establish BustNMoves as a trusted moving solution for residents in Pocatello and surrounding communities.
As a local business owner who has lived in the region since 2014, Taylor brings both professional expertise and community knowledge to every moving project.
