Is Woburn or Worcester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Worcester is safer than Woburn (Safety Score 100/100 vs 68/100), with a total crime rate of 16 per 100,000 versus 1,142 for Woburn — 99% lower. Woburn 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 5.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Woburn — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Worcester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Woburn, MA
Worcester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Woburn | Worcester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,142.4 | 16.5 | +1,126.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 215.4 | 16.5 | +198.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.5 | -7.5 |
| Rape Rate | 14.1 | 0.0 | +14.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 2.3 | 0.9 | +1.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 199.0 | 8.0 | +191.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 927.1 | 0.0 | +927.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 142.8 | 0.0 | +142.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 671.9 | 0.0 | +671.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 112.4 | 0.0 | +112.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Woburn or Worcester safer?
Worcester is safer with a total crime rate of 16 per 100K vs 1,142 for Woburn — a 99% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Woburn has a violent crime rate of 215.4 per 100K while Worcester has 16.5. Worcester has lower violent crime.
About Woburn, MA
Woburn, a city in Middlesex County, is home to the historic Baldwin House. Situated just north of Boston, it has a diverse population exceeding 40,000 residents. With a safety score of 68/100 and a population coverage of 42,716, Woburn has a total crime rate of 1,142.4 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.