Is Northbridge or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Northbridge (Safety Score 100/100 vs 95/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 404 for Northbridge — 96% lower. Northbridge 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 12.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Northbridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Northbridge, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Northbridge | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 404.5 | 16.5 | +388.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 71.4 | 16.5 | +54.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 11.9 | 0.0 | +11.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.0 | 0.9 | +5.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 53.5 | 8.0 | +45.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 333.1 | 0.0 | +333.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 59.5 | 0.0 | +59.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 267.7 | 0.0 | +267.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 6.0 | 0.0 | +6.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northbridge or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 404 for Northbridge — a 96% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Northbridge has a violent crime rate of 71.4 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Northbridge, MA
Northbridge, a central Massachusetts town, is home to the historic Linwood Mill. Its population of around 16,000 residents is spread across its villages, including Whitinsville. With a safety score of 95/100 and a population coverage of 16,813, Northbridge has a total crime rate of 404.5 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.