Is Waltham or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Waltham (Safety Score 100/100 vs 76/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 951 for Waltham — 98% lower. Waltham 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 3.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Waltham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Waltham, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Waltham | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 951.3 | 16.5 | +934.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 252.0 | 16.5 | +235.5 |
| Murder Rate | 1.5 | 7.5 | -6.0 |
| Rape Rate | 18.3 | 0.0 | +18.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.9 | 0.9 | +22.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 209.2 | 8.0 | +201.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 699.4 | 0.0 | +699.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 125.2 | 0.0 | +125.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 519.2 | 0.0 | +519.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 55.0 | 0.0 | +55.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waltham or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 951 for Waltham — a 98% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Waltham has a violent crime rate of 252.0 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Waltham, MA
Waltham, "Watch City," is a historic industrial suburb of Boston along the Charles River. Home to Brandeis University, its diverse population includes a significant immigrant community. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 65,488, Waltham has a total crime rate of 951.3 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.