Is Watertown or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Watertown (Safety Score 100/100 vs 40/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 2,012 for Watertown — 99% lower. Watertown 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 5.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Watertown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Watertown, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Watertown | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,012.0 | 16.5 | +1,995.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 153.3 | 16.5 | +136.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 25.1 | 0.0 | +25.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 8.4 | 0.9 | +7.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 119.8 | 8.0 | +111.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,858.7 | 0.0 | +1,858.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 53.0 | 0.0 | +53.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,780.7 | 0.0 | +1,780.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 25.1 | 0.0 | +25.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Watertown or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 2,012 for Watertown — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Watertown has a violent crime rate of 153.3 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Watertown, MA
Watertown, a historic Middlesex County town, sits along the Charles River just west of Boston. It was home to the Perkins School for the Blind, where Helen Keller studied. The town has a diverse population, including a notable Armenian community. With a safety score of 40/100 and a population coverage of 35,885, Watertown has a total crime rate of 2,012.0 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.