Is Somerset or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Somerset (Safety Score 100/100 vs 85/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 718 for Somerset — 98% lower. Somerset 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 11.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Somerset — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Somerset, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Somerset | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 718.0 | 16.5 | +701.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 151.2 | 16.5 | +134.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 27.0 | 0.0 | +27.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 0.9 | -0.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 124.2 | 8.0 | +116.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 566.8 | 0.0 | +566.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 81.0 | 0.0 | +81.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 426.5 | 0.0 | +426.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 59.4 | 0.0 | +59.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Somerset or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 718 for Somerset — a 98% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Somerset has a violent crime rate of 151.2 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Somerset, MA
Somerset, MA, a coastal town on Mount Hope Bay, was a shipbuilding center in the 1800s. Its population of roughly 18,000 residents enjoys a suburban landscape with a rich maritime heritage. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 18,524, Somerset has a total crime rate of 718.0 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.