Is Lowell or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Lowell (Safety Score 100/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 2,195 for Lowell — 99% lower. Lowell has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Worcester has a 100% lower rate.
Lowell — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lowell, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lowell | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,195.4 | 16.5 | +2,178.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 532.5 | 16.5 | +516.0 |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 7.5 | -3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 6.9 | 0.0 | +6.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 56.9 | 0.9 | +55.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 464.4 | 8.0 | +456.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,662.9 | 0.0 | +1,662.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 149.9 | 0.0 | +149.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,309.6 | 0.0 | +1,309.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 203.3 | 0.0 | +203.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lowell or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 2,195 for Lowell — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lowell has a violent crime rate of 532.5 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Lowell, MA
Lowell, a historic mill city on the Merrimack River, was a birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Its diverse population includes a significant Cambodian American community. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 116,062, Lowell has a total crime rate of 2,195.4 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.