Is Natick or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Natick (Safety Score 100/100 vs 61/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 1,349 for Natick — 99% lower. Natick 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 5.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Natick — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Natick, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Natick | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,348.7 | 16.5 | +1,332.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 213.1 | 16.5 | +196.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 10.8 | 0.0 | +10.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.1 | 0.9 | +7.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 194.2 | 8.0 | +186.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,135.6 | 0.0 | +1,135.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 72.8 | 0.0 | +72.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,035.8 | 0.0 | +1,035.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 27.0 | 0.0 | +27.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Natick or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 1,349 for Natick — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Natick has a violent crime rate of 213.1 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Natick, MA
Natick, Massachusetts, a town in Middlesex County, is home to the world's first industrial park. Its population of over 36,000 residents enjoys a suburban landscape just 17 miles west of Boston. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 37,073, Natick has a total crime rate of 1,348.7 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.