Is Dedham or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Dedham (Safety Score 100/100 vs 53/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 1,597 for Dedham — 99% lower. Dedham 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.
Dedham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dedham, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dedham | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,597.3 | 16.5 | +1,580.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 272.1 | 16.5 | +255.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 19.7 | 0.0 | +19.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.9 | 0.9 | +7.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 244.5 | 8.0 | +236.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,325.2 | 0.0 | +1,325.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 98.6 | 0.0 | +98.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,128.0 | 0.0 | +1,128.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 98.6 | 0.0 | +98.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dedham or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 1,597 for Dedham — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dedham has a violent crime rate of 272.1 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Dedham, MA
Dedham, a town in Norfolk County south of Boston, boasts a rich history as the site of the first tax-supported public school in America. Its suburban landscape is characterized by a mix of residential areas and commercial hubs. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 25,355, Dedham has a total crime rate of 1,597.3 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.