Is South Hadley or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than South Hadley (Safety Score 100/100 vs 78/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 907 for South Hadley — 98% lower. South Hadley 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 11.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
South Hadley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
South Hadley, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | South Hadley | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 907.3 | 16.5 | +890.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 193.3 | 16.5 | +176.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 5.4 | 0.0 | +5.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.4 | 0.9 | +4.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 182.5 | 8.0 | +174.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 714.0 | 0.0 | +714.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 112.7 | 0.0 | +112.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 553.0 | 0.0 | +553.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 48.3 | 0.0 | +48.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Hadley or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 907 for South Hadley — a 98% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
South Hadley has a violent crime rate of 193.3 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About South Hadley, MA
South Hadley, home to Mount Holyoke College, is a picturesque town in Hampshire County. Situated along the Connecticut River, its population is around 18,000. With a safety score of 78/100 and a population coverage of 18,627, South Hadley has a total crime rate of 907.3 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.