Is Arlington or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Arlington (Safety Score 100/100 vs 92/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 490 for Arlington — 97% lower. Arlington has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Worcester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Worcester is 4.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Arlington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Arlington, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Arlington | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 489.8 | 16.5 | +473.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 55.4 | 16.5 | +38.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 10.7 | 0.0 | +10.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 0.9 | -0.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 44.7 | 8.0 | +36.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 434.5 | 0.0 | +434.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 59.6 | 0.0 | +59.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 338.6 | 0.0 | +338.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 36.2 | 0.0 | +36.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arlington or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 490 for Arlington — a 97% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Arlington has a violent crime rate of 55.4 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Arlington, MA
Arlington, MA, a historic suburb northwest of Boston, was once home to Uncle Sam. This densely populated town of over 46,000 residents features a mix of residential areas and commercial centers along Massachusetts Avenue. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 46,956, Arlington has a total crime rate of 489.8 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.