Is Brookline or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Brookline (Safety Score 100/100 vs 74/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 995 for Brookline — 98% lower. Brookline 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 3.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brookline — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brookline, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brookline | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 995.0 | 16.5 | +978.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 99.8 | 16.5 | +83.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 4.7 | 0.0 | +4.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.6 | 0.9 | +14.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.5 | 8.0 | +71.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 895.2 | 0.0 | +895.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 85.8 | 0.0 | +85.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 784.4 | 0.0 | +784.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 25.0 | 0.0 | +25.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brookline or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 995 for Brookline — a 98% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brookline has a violent crime rate of 99.8 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Brookline, MA
Brookline, Massachusetts, a town surrounded by Boston, is home to the historic Coolidge Corner Theatre. This affluent community, with a significant Jewish population, boasts tree-lined streets and a dense, educated populace. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 64,122, Brookline has a total crime rate of 995.0 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.