Is Methuen or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Methuen (Safety Score 100/100 vs 75/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 972 for Methuen — 98% lower. Methuen has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Worcester has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Worcester is 3.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Methuen — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Methuen, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Methuen | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 972.1 | 16.5 | +955.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 175.8 | 16.5 | +159.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 9.2 | 0.0 | +9.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 0.9 | -0.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 166.6 | 8.0 | +158.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 796.4 | 0.0 | +796.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 47.6 | 0.0 | +47.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 682.9 | 0.0 | +682.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 65.9 | 0.0 | +65.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Methuen or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 972 for Methuen — a 98% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Methuen has a violent crime rate of 175.8 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Methuen, MA
Methuen, Massachusetts, once a mill town known for its hat factories, lies along the Merrimack River near the New Hampshire border. Its diverse population of over 50,000 residents contributes to its suburban character. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 54,623, Methuen has a total crime rate of 972.1 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.