Is Pittsfield or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Pittsfield (Safety Score 100/100 vs 48/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 1,751 for Pittsfield — 99% lower. Pittsfield 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 5.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pittsfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pittsfield, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pittsfield | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,750.9 | 16.5 | +1,734.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 511.3 | 16.5 | +494.8 |
| Murder Rate | 4.7 | 7.5 | -2.9 |
| Rape Rate | 98.1 | 0.0 | +98.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.0 | 0.9 | +27.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 380.5 | 8.0 | +372.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,239.6 | 0.0 | +1,239.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 385.2 | 0.0 | +385.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 756.4 | 0.0 | +756.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 98.1 | 0.0 | +98.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pittsfield or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 1,751 for Pittsfield — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pittsfield has a violent crime rate of 511.3 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Pittsfield, MA
Pittsfield, nestled in the Berkshire Mountains, is the county seat of Berkshire County. Herman Melville wrote "Moby Dick" here. Its population is approximately 42,000. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 42,835, Pittsfield has a total crime rate of 1,750.9 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.