Is Dudley or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Dudley (Safety Score 100/100 vs 98/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 290 for Dudley — 94% lower. Dudley has higher rates in 1 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Worcester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Worcester is 17.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dudley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dudley, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dudley | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 290.4 | 16.5 | +273.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 141.0 | 16.5 | +124.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 24.9 | 0.0 | +24.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.3 | 0.9 | +7.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 107.9 | 8.0 | +99.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 149.3 | 0.0 | +149.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 58.1 | 0.0 | +58.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 91.3 | 0.0 | +91.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dudley or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 290 for Dudley — a 94% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dudley has a violent crime rate of 141.0 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Dudley, MA
Dudley, Massachusetts, a rural town in Worcester County, is home to Nichols College, founded in 1815. It shares a border with Connecticut and features a landscape of rolling hills and dense woodlands. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 12,053, Dudley has a total crime rate of 290.4 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.