Is Gloucester or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Gloucester (Safety Score 100/100 vs 80/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 830 for Gloucester — 98% lower. Gloucester 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 6.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gloucester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gloucester, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gloucester | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 830.1 | 16.5 | +813.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 277.8 | 16.5 | +261.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 36.0 | 0.0 | +36.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 3.3 | 0.9 | +2.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 238.6 | 8.0 | +230.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 552.3 | 0.0 | +552.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 98.0 | 0.0 | +98.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 415.1 | 0.0 | +415.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 39.2 | 0.0 | +39.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gloucester or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 830 for Gloucester — a 98% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gloucester has a violent crime rate of 277.8 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Gloucester, MA
Gloucester, Massachusetts, a historic fishing port on Cape Ann, is home to the iconic "Man at the Wheel" statue. This city of roughly 30,000 residents boasts a significant Portuguese-American population. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 30,599, Gloucester has a total crime rate of 830.1 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.