Is Wellesley or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Wellesley (Safety Score 100/100 vs 91/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 532 for Wellesley — 97% lower. Wellesley 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 6.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Wellesley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wellesley, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Wellesley | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 531.7 | 16.5 | +515.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 46.9 | 16.5 | +30.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 9.4 | 0.0 | +9.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 0.9 | -0.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 37.5 | 8.0 | +29.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 484.8 | 0.0 | +484.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 65.7 | 0.0 | +65.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 378.4 | 0.0 | +378.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 40.7 | 0.0 | +40.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wellesley or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 532 for Wellesley — a 97% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Wellesley has a violent crime rate of 46.9 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Wellesley, MA
Wellesley, a affluent Boston suburb known for Wellesley College, occupies a tree-lined landscape with a median household income exceeding $200,000. Its population of around 29,000 residents reflects a highly educated community, with over 80% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. With a safety score of 91/100 and a population coverage of 31,973, Wellesley has a total crime rate of 531.7 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.