Is Southboro or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Southboro (Safety Score 100/100 vs 98/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 282 for Southboro — 94% lower. Southboro 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 20.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Southboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Southboro, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Southboro | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 282.5 | 16.5 | +266.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 56.5 | 16.5 | +40.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 28.3 | 0.0 | +28.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 0.9 | -0.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 28.3 | 8.0 | +20.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 226.0 | 0.0 | +226.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 18.8 | 0.0 | +18.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 197.7 | 0.0 | +197.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 9.4 | 0.0 | +9.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southboro or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 282 for Southboro — a 94% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Southboro has a violent crime rate of 56.5 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Southboro, MA
Southborough, MA, a affluent suburb west of Boston, is home to the prestigious Fay School, the nation's oldest junior boarding school. Its leafy streets and large properties are characteristic of a wealthy New England town. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 10,620, Southboro has a total crime rate of 282.5 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.