Is Palmer or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Palmer (Safety Score 100/100 vs 76/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 949 for Palmer — 98% lower. Palmer 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 16.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Palmer — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palmer, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Palmer | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 949.4 | 16.5 | +932.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 375.0 | 16.5 | +358.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 31.9 | 0.0 | +31.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 0.9 | -0.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 343.1 | 8.0 | +335.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 574.4 | 0.0 | +574.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 119.7 | 0.0 | +119.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 375.0 | 0.0 | +375.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 79.8 | 0.0 | +79.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palmer or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 949 for Palmer — a 98% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Palmer has a violent crime rate of 375.0 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Palmer, MA
Palmer, Massachusetts, a rural town in Hampden County, is known for its "Four Corners" where four distinct villages meet. Historically, it was a significant railroad hub, once home to a major roundhouse and repair shop. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 12,534, Palmer has a total crime rate of 949.4 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.