Is Melrose or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Melrose (Safety Score 100/100 vs 91/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 530 for Melrose — 97% lower. Melrose 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 7.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Melrose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Melrose, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Melrose | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 530.5 | 16.5 | +514.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 100.7 | 16.5 | +84.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 13.4 | 0.9 | +12.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 87.3 | 8.0 | +79.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 429.8 | 0.0 | +429.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 40.3 | 0.0 | +40.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 335.8 | 0.0 | +335.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 53.7 | 0.0 | +53.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Melrose or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 530 for Melrose — a 97% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Melrose has a violent crime rate of 100.7 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Melrose, MA
Melrose is a small, affluent city north of Boston, known for its Victorian architecture. Bordered by the Middlesex Fells Reservation, it offers a suburban feel with easy access to urban amenities. With a safety score of 91/100 and a population coverage of 29,784, Melrose has a total crime rate of 530.5 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.