Is Franklin or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Franklin (Safety Score 100/100 vs 96/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 383 for Franklin — 96% lower. Franklin 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 6.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Franklin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Franklin, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Franklin | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 382.6 | 16.5 | +366.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 94.9 | 16.5 | +78.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 3.0 | 0.0 | +3.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 3.0 | 0.9 | +2.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 89.0 | 8.0 | +81.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 287.7 | 0.0 | +287.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 41.5 | 0.0 | +41.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 213.6 | 0.0 | +213.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 32.6 | 0.0 | +32.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Franklin or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 383 for Franklin — a 96% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Franklin has a violent crime rate of 94.9 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Franklin, MA
Franklin, Massachusetts, birthplace of Horace Mann, is a suburban town in Norfolk County with a population of over 33,000. It's home to the nation's first public library, established with a donation from Benjamin Franklin. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 33,716, Franklin has a total crime rate of 382.6 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.