Is Wayland or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Wayland (Safety Score 100/100 vs 90/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 559 for Wayland — 97% lower. Wayland 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 15.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Wayland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wayland, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Wayland | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 558.8 | 16.5 | +542.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 78.8 | 16.5 | +62.3 |
| 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 | 78.8 | 8.0 | +70.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 480.0 | 0.0 | +480.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 71.6 | 0.0 | +71.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 394.0 | 0.0 | +394.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 14.3 | 0.0 | +14.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wayland or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 559 for Wayland — a 97% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Wayland has a violent crime rate of 78.8 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Wayland, MA
Wayland, Massachusetts, a affluent Boston suburb, is home to the historic Grout-Heard House. This Middlesex County town boasts a highly educated population and significant conservation land. With a safety score of 90/100 and a population coverage of 13,959, Wayland has a total crime rate of 558.8 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.