Is Salem or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Salem (Safety Score 100/100 vs 49/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 1,706 for Salem — 99% lower. Salem 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 4.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Salem | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,706.0 | 16.5 | +1,689.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 152.3 | 16.5 | +135.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 13.1 | 0.0 | +13.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 34.8 | 0.9 | +33.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 104.5 | 8.0 | +96.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,553.7 | 0.0 | +1,553.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 106.6 | 0.0 | +106.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,347.0 | 0.0 | +1,347.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 100.1 | 0.0 | +100.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salem or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 1,706 for Salem — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Salem has a violent crime rate of 152.3 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Salem, MA
Salem, Massachusetts, renowned for the 1692 witch trials, is a small coastal city north of Boston. Its population is approximately 45,000, with a significant portion employed in tourism and education. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 45,955, Salem has a total crime rate of 1,706.0 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.