Is Barnstable or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Barnstable (Safety Score 100/100 vs 66/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 1,196 for Barnstable — 99% lower. Barnstable 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 4.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Barnstable — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Barnstable, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Barnstable | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,195.8 | 16.5 | +1,179.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 410.4 | 16.5 | +393.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 7.5 | -5.6 |
| Rape Rate | 64.8 | 0.0 | +64.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.7 | 0.9 | +16.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 326.0 | 8.0 | +318.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 785.4 | 0.0 | +785.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 131.6 | 0.0 | +131.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 581.2 | 0.0 | +581.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 72.7 | 0.0 | +72.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barnstable or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 1,196 for Barnstable — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Barnstable has a violent crime rate of 410.4 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Barnstable, MA
Barnstable, the largest community on Cape Cod, is a historic town of villages including Hyannis, a major transportation hub. Its population of over 45,000 makes it the most populous municipality in Barnstable County. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 50,928, Barnstable has a total crime rate of 1,195.8 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.