Is Norwood or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Norwood (Safety Score 100/100 vs 79/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 880 for Norwood — 98% lower. Norwood 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 6.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Norwood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Norwood, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Norwood | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 880.0 | 16.5 | +863.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 167.2 | 16.5 | +150.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 3.2 | 0.0 | +3.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.5 | 0.9 | +8.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 154.6 | 8.0 | +146.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 712.8 | 0.0 | +712.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 53.6 | 0.0 | +53.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 545.7 | 0.0 | +545.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 113.6 | 0.0 | +113.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norwood or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 880 for Norwood — a 98% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Norwood has a violent crime rate of 167.2 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Norwood, MA
Norwood, a Middlesex County town, is home to the historic Norwood Theatre. This suburban community, once a hub for printing, lies just southwest of Boston. With a safety score of 79/100 and a population coverage of 31,704, Norwood has a total crime rate of 880.0 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.