Is Bedford or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Bedford (Safety Score 100/100 vs 93/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 457 for Bedford — 96% lower. Bedford 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 14.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bedford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bedford, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bedford | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 457.1 | 16.5 | +440.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 13.6 | 16.5 | -2.8 |
| Murder Rate | 13.6 | 7.5 | +6.1 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 0.9 | -0.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 0.0 | 8.0 | -8.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 443.4 | 0.0 | +443.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 40.9 | 0.0 | +40.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 375.2 | 0.0 | +375.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.3 | 0.0 | +27.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bedford or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 457 for Bedford — a 96% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bedford has a violent crime rate of 13.6 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Bedford has lower violent crime.
About Bedford, MA
Bedford, MA, home to Hanscom Air Force Base and a significant tech industry presence, sits northwest of Boston. This Middlesex County town, a bedroom community, maintains a suburban character with a notable historical district. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 14,659, Bedford has a total crime rate of 457.1 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.