Is Newton or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Newton (Safety Score 100/100 vs 87/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 648 for Newton — 97% lower. Newton 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 2.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Newton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Newton, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Newton | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 648.3 | 16.5 | +631.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 48.9 | 16.5 | +32.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 10.0 | 0.0 | +10.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 1.1 | 0.9 | +0.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 37.8 | 8.0 | +29.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 599.3 | 0.0 | +599.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 63.4 | 0.0 | +63.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 501.5 | 0.0 | +501.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 34.5 | 0.0 | +34.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newton or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 648 for Newton — a 97% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Newton has a violent crime rate of 48.9 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Newton, MA
Newton, a suburban city in Middlesex County, is home to Boston College. Known for its distinct "villages," it's one of Massachusetts' wealthiest communities. With a safety score of 87/100 and a population coverage of 89,935, Newton has a total crime rate of 648.3 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.