Is Auburn or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Auburn (Safety Score 100/100 vs 54/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 1,565 for Auburn — 99% lower. Auburn has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Worcester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Worcester is 12.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Auburn — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Auburn, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Auburn | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,565.2 | 16.5 | +1,548.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 408.8 | 16.5 | +392.4 |
| Murder Rate | 23.4 | 7.5 | +15.8 |
| Rape Rate | 29.2 | 0.0 | +29.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 29.2 | 0.9 | +28.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 327.1 | 8.0 | +319.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,156.4 | 0.0 | +1,156.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 122.7 | 0.0 | +122.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 928.6 | 0.0 | +928.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 105.1 | 0.0 | +105.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auburn or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 1,565 for Auburn — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Auburn has a violent crime rate of 408.8 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Auburn, MA
Auburn, MA, a town of over 16,000 residents bordering Worcester, is known for its historic Goddard Rocket Replica, honoring Robert H. Goddard's pioneering work. Its suburban landscape is characterized by residential areas and local businesses. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 17,122, Auburn has a total crime rate of 1,565.2 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.