Is Canton or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Canton (Safety Score 100/100 vs 80/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 830 for Canton — 98% lower. Canton 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 8.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Canton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Canton, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Canton | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 830.0 | 16.5 | +813.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 289.9 | 16.5 | +273.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 7.9 | 0.0 | +7.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.9 | 0.9 | +14.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 266.1 | 8.0 | +258.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 540.1 | 0.0 | +540.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 39.7 | 0.0 | +39.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 444.8 | 0.0 | +444.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 55.6 | 0.0 | +55.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canton or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 830 for Canton — a 98% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Canton has a violent crime rate of 289.9 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Canton, MA
Canton, Massachusetts, a town in Norfolk County, is home to the Museum of American Bird Art at Mass Audubon. It is situated approximately 15 miles southwest of Boston. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 25,181, Canton has a total crime rate of 830.0 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.