Is Ashland or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Ashland (Safety Score 100/100 vs 82/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 774 for Ashland — 98% lower. Ashland 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 11.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ashland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ashland, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashland | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 774.1 | 16.5 | +757.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 95.4 | 16.5 | +79.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 10.6 | 0.0 | +10.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.3 | 0.9 | +4.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.5 | 8.0 | +71.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 678.7 | 0.0 | +678.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 270.4 | 0.0 | +270.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 233.3 | 0.0 | +233.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 175.0 | 0.0 | +175.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashland or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 774 for Ashland — a 98% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 95.4 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Ashland, MA
Ashland, MA, once home to a section of the Boston Marathon, is a small town in Middlesex County. With a population of around 18,000, it features a mix of suburban and rural landscapes. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 18,861, Ashland has a total crime rate of 774.1 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.