Is Bridgewater or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Bridgewater (Safety Score 100/100 vs 98/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 275 for Bridgewater — 94% lower. Bridgewater 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 7.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bridgewater — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bridgewater, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bridgewater | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 274.9 | 16.5 | +258.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 74.7 | 16.5 | +58.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 10.2 | 0.0 | +10.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 0.9 | -0.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 64.5 | 8.0 | +56.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 200.2 | 0.0 | +200.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 13.6 | 0.0 | +13.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 112.0 | 0.0 | +112.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 74.7 | 0.0 | +74.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bridgewater or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 275 for Bridgewater — a 94% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bridgewater has a violent crime rate of 74.7 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Bridgewater, MA
Bridgewater, home to a state university established in 1840, is a town in Plymouth County. It features a diverse population and a mix of suburban and rural landscapes. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 29,465, Bridgewater has a total crime rate of 274.9 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.