Is Lexington or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Lexington (Safety Score 100/100 vs 96/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 387 for Lexington — 96% lower. Lexington 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 6.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lexington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lexington, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lexington | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 387.2 | 16.5 | +370.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 52.4 | 16.5 | +35.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 8.7 | 0.0 | +8.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 2.9 | 0.9 | +2.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 40.8 | 8.0 | +32.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 334.8 | 0.0 | +334.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 52.4 | 0.0 | +52.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 273.7 | 0.0 | +273.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.7 | 0.0 | +8.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lexington or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 387 for Lexington — a 96% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lexington has a violent crime rate of 52.4 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Lexington, MA
Lexington, MA, a town of approximately 34,000 residents, is famously where the first shots of the American Revolutionary War were fired. Located in Middlesex County, it's a affluent suburban community northwest of Boston. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 34,350, Lexington has a total crime rate of 387.2 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.