Is Westwood or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Westwood (Safety Score 100/100 vs 67/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 1,190 for Westwood — 99% lower. Westwood 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 12.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Westwood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Westwood, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Westwood | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,190.3 | 16.5 | +1,173.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 42.3 | 16.5 | +25.8 |
| 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 | 42.3 | 8.0 | +34.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,148.0 | 0.0 | +1,148.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 60.4 | 0.0 | +60.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,051.3 | 0.0 | +1,051.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 36.3 | 0.0 | +36.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Westwood or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 1,190 for Westwood — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Westwood has a violent crime rate of 42.3 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Westwood, MA
Westwood, MA, a affluent suburb southwest of Boston, is known for its excellent public schools. Settled in the 17th century, it was originally part of Dedham before incorporating in 1897. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 16,551, Westwood has a total crime rate of 1,190.3 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.