Is Fitchburg or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Fitchburg (Safety Score 100/100 vs 46/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 1,831 for Fitchburg — 99% lower. Fitchburg 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 5.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fitchburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fitchburg, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fitchburg | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,830.8 | 16.5 | +1,814.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 486.6 | 16.5 | +470.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.4 | 7.5 | -5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 40.2 | 0.0 | +40.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.4 | 0.9 | +34.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 408.7 | 8.0 | +400.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,344.1 | 0.0 | +1,344.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 271.7 | 0.0 | +271.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 952.0 | 0.0 | +952.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 120.5 | 0.0 | +120.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fitchburg or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 1,831 for Fitchburg — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fitchburg has a violent crime rate of 486.6 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Fitchburg, MA
Fitchburg, a city in northern Worcester County, was a major mill town known for its paper industry. It sits along the Nashua River and has a diverse, working-class population. With a safety score of 46/100 and a population coverage of 42,332, Fitchburg has a total crime rate of 1,830.8 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.