Is Spencer or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Spencer (Safety Score 100/100 vs 96/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 363 for Spencer — 95% lower. Spencer 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 17.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Spencer — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Spencer, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Spencer | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 362.7 | 16.5 | +346.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 82.4 | 16.5 | +66.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 0.9 | -0.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 82.4 | 8.0 | +74.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 280.3 | 0.0 | +280.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 24.7 | 0.0 | +24.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 181.4 | 0.0 | +181.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 74.2 | 0.0 | +74.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spencer or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 363 for Spencer — a 95% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Spencer has a violent crime rate of 82.4 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Spencer, MA
Spencer, a central Massachusetts town, is home to the historic Howe family, inventors of the sewing machine. Situated on the Seven Hills, it features a diverse population of just over 11,000 residents. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 12,130, Spencer has a total crime rate of 362.7 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.