Is Wakefield or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Wakefield (Safety Score 100/100 vs 89/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 584 for Wakefield — 97% lower. Wakefield 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 7.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Wakefield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wakefield, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Wakefield | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 584.0 | 16.5 | +567.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 174.9 | 16.5 | +158.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 56.0 | 0.0 | +56.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.0 | 0.9 | +6.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 111.9 | 8.0 | +103.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 409.2 | 0.0 | +409.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 45.5 | 0.0 | +45.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 293.8 | 0.0 | +293.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 69.9 | 0.0 | +69.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wakefield or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 584 for Wakefield — a 97% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Wakefield has a violent crime rate of 174.9 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Wakefield, MA
Wakefield, Massachusetts, a Middlesex County town established in 1644, is home to Lake Quannapowitt. This suburban community, with a population around 27,000, offers a mix of residential areas and local businesses. With a safety score of 89/100 and a population coverage of 28,594, Wakefield has a total crime rate of 584.0 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.