Is Chelsea or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Chelsea (Safety Score 100/100 vs 30/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 2,415 for Chelsea — 99% lower. Chelsea 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 5.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chelsea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chelsea, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chelsea | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,414.7 | 16.5 | +2,398.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 978.9 | 16.5 | +962.5 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 7.5 | -2.3 |
| Rape Rate | 80.9 | 0.0 | +80.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 120.1 | 0.9 | +119.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 772.7 | 8.0 | +764.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,435.8 | 0.0 | +1,435.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 148.8 | 0.0 | +148.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,151.2 | 0.0 | +1,151.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 135.8 | 0.0 | +135.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chelsea or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 2,415 for Chelsea — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chelsea has a violent crime rate of 978.9 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Chelsea, MA
Chelsea, a dense urban gateway city across the Mystic River from Boston, boasts a rich immigrant history. Settled in 1624, it was once home to a vibrant industrial port and is now Massachusetts' smallest city by land area. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 38,307, Chelsea has a total crime rate of 2,414.7 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.