Is Sudbury or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Sudbury (Safety Score 100/100 vs 97/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 336 for Sudbury — 95% lower. Sudbury 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 10.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Sudbury — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sudbury, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Sudbury | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 336.0 | 16.5 | +319.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 55.2 | 16.5 | +38.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 20.1 | 0.0 | +20.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 0.9 | -0.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 35.1 | 8.0 | +27.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 280.9 | 0.0 | +280.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 15.1 | 0.0 | +15.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 250.8 | 0.0 | +250.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 15.1 | 0.0 | +15.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sudbury or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 336 for Sudbury — a 95% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Sudbury has a violent crime rate of 55.2 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Sudbury, MA
Sudbury, a affluent town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, is home to the historic Wayside Inn, the nation's oldest operating inn. It's primarily a residential community with a population of around 19,000. With a safety score of 97/100 and a population coverage of 19,939, Sudbury has a total crime rate of 336.0 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.