Is Bellingham or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Bellingham (Safety Score 100/100 vs 64/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 1,260 for Bellingham — 99% lower. Bellingham 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 11.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bellingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,259.7 | 16.5 | +1,243.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 215.5 | 16.5 | +199.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 44.2 | 0.0 | +44.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.1 | 0.9 | +21.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 149.2 | 8.0 | +141.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,044.3 | 0.0 | +1,044.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 66.3 | 0.0 | +66.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 917.2 | 0.0 | +917.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 60.8 | 0.0 | +60.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 1,260 for Bellingham — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 215.5 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Bellingham, MA
Bellingham, Massachusetts, a suburban town in southeastern Worcester County, was incorporated in 1719. It's home to roughly 19,000 residents and features a mix of residential areas and commercial zones along Route 126. With a safety score of 64/100 and a population coverage of 18,099, Bellingham has a total crime rate of 1,259.7 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.