Is Shrewsbury or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Shrewsbury (Safety Score 100/100 vs 86/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 673 for Shrewsbury — 98% lower. Shrewsbury 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 5.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Shrewsbury — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Shrewsbury, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Shrewsbury | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 672.7 | 16.5 | +656.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 30.1 | 16.5 | +13.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 2.5 | 0.9 | +1.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 25.1 | 8.0 | +17.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 642.6 | 0.0 | +642.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 50.2 | 0.0 | +50.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 572.3 | 0.0 | +572.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 20.1 | 0.0 | +20.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shrewsbury or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 673 for Shrewsbury — a 98% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Shrewsbury has a violent crime rate of 30.1 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Shrewsbury, MA
Shrewsbury, MA, founded in 1727, is a suburban town in Worcester County. It's known as the birthplace of inventor Elijah White and borders Lake Quinsigamond. With a safety score of 86/100 and a population coverage of 39,837, Shrewsbury has a total crime rate of 672.7 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.