Is Lawrence or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Lawrence (Safety Score 100/100 vs 59/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 1,439 for Lawrence — 99% lower. Lawrence has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Worcester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Worcester is 2.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lawrence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lawrence, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lawrence | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,438.6 | 16.5 | +1,422.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 439.7 | 16.5 | +423.3 |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 7.5 | +0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 31.3 | 0.0 | +31.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 52.5 | 0.9 | +51.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 348.2 | 8.0 | +340.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 998.9 | 0.0 | +998.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 72.5 | 0.0 | +72.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.6 | 0.0 | +851.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 74.8 | 0.0 | +74.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawrence or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 1,439 for Lawrence — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lawrence has a violent crime rate of 439.7 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Lawrence, MA
Lawrence, a Merrimack Valley city, was once a thriving textile hub, home to the historic Bread and Roses Strike. Today, it is a diverse community with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 59/100 and a population coverage of 89,600, Lawrence has a total crime rate of 1,438.6 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.