Is Andover or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Andover (Safety Score 100/100 vs 79/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 872 for Andover — 98% lower. Andover has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Worcester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Worcester is 5.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Andover — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Andover, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Andover | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 872.1 | 16.5 | +855.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 94.2 | 16.5 | +77.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 8.1 | 0.0 | +8.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 2.7 | 0.9 | +1.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 83.4 | 8.0 | +75.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 777.9 | 0.0 | +777.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 169.6 | 0.0 | +169.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 578.7 | 0.0 | +578.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 29.6 | 0.0 | +29.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Andover or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 872 for Andover — a 98% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Andover has a violent crime rate of 94.2 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Andover, MA
Andover, a historic town in Essex County, is home to Phillips Academy, founded in 1778. This affluent community, part of the Merrimack Valley, sits roughly 23 miles north of Boston. With a safety score of 79/100 and a population coverage of 37,152, Andover has a total crime rate of 872.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Worcester, MA
Worcester, a city of hills in Central Massachusetts, boasts a rich industrial past, home to the first American-made Valentine's Day cards. It's the second-most populous city in New England outside of Boston. With a safety score of 100/100 and a population coverage of 212,425, Worcester has a total crime rate of 16.5 per 100,000 residents.