Is Worcester, MA Safe? 2026 Crime Rates & Safety Report
Key facts
- 01
Worcester, Massachusetts reported 72.99 motor vehicle theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 0.38 times the national reference of 193.00 per 100,000 and 120.01 per 100,000 below that reference, with 150 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 02
Worcester, Massachusetts reported 463.26 larceny-theft offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 0.42 times the national reference of 1,106.97 per 100,000 and 643.71 per 100,000 below that reference, with 952 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 03
Worcester, Massachusetts reported 87.59 burglary offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 0.47 times the national reference of 188.15 per 100,000 and 100.56 per 100,000 below that reference, with 180 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 04
Worcester, Massachusetts reported 31.63 robbery offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 0.66 times the national reference of 48.24 per 100,000 and 16.61 per 100,000 below that reference, with 65 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
- 05
Worcester, Massachusetts reported 209.73 aggravated assault offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 0.91 times the national reference of 229.56 per 100,000 and 19.83 per 100,000 below that reference, with 431 annual reported offenses (FBI CDE 2025 profile).
Quick answer
In the Safety Atlas 2026 public safety index, Worcester, MA has an adjusted safety score of 75.83 out of 100. It ranks #2 in this comparison set out of the 7 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in Massachusetts. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as decreasing.
Jump to Section
2026 edition, FBI source year 2025.
Every number on this page ships in the Massachusetts workbook.
Key Public Safety Indicators
Reported rates per 100,000 residents; national references shown alongside.
| Offense Class | Annual Count | Rate per 100K | National Avg | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbery | 65 | 31.63 | 48.24 | 0.66× national |
| Aggravated Assault | 431 | 209.73 | 229.56 | 0.91× national |
| Burglary | 180 | 87.59 | 188.15 | 0.47× national |
| Larceny-theft | 952 | 463.26 | 1106.97 | 0.42× national |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 150 | 72.99 | 193.0 | 0.38× national |
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What drives Worcester's safety score?
Worcester ranks in the middle half of the 7 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in Massachusetts, ahead of approximately 71% of that scored set. The profile uses a reporting population of 205,501 and source-year data through 2025; it is a citywide agency-level comparison, not a neighborhood forecast.
The strongest of the three score components is Community Order at 81.76, while Personal Safety is lowest at 73.69. The 8.07-point spread shows why the composite should be read by component instead of as a single absolute claim about safety.
Among the five public offense indicators, Aggravated Assault is highest relative to its national reference at 209.73 per 100,000 (0.91× the national rate). Motor Vehicle Theft is lowest on the same relative basis at 72.99 per 100,000 (0.38× national).
Coverage check: 18 of 18 tracked offense classes have reportable values in this profile. Missing values are not converted to zero.
Public indicator mix
Worcester, Massachusetts recorded 952 larceny-theft offenses in 2025, 53.5% of the 1,778 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 65 robbery reports (3.7%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Worcester, Massachusetts recorded 431 aggravated assault offenses in 2025, 24.2% of the 1,778 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 65 robbery reports (3.7%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Worcester, Massachusetts recorded 180 burglary offenses in 2025, 10.1% of the 1,778 reports across its five public indicators, compared with 65 robbery reports (3.7%); this share covers only those five indicators, excluding other offense classes.
Worcester, Massachusetts uses a reporting population of 205,501 residents and has values for 18 of the 18 tracked offense classes (100.0%) in its 2025 profile; coverage describes available classes rather than the share of residents reporting crime.
Worcester, Massachusetts has an adjusted score of 75.83 points out of 100 versus 89.68 in Mashpee, Massachusetts, a difference of 13.85 points below that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; Worcester ranks 2 of 7 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
Worcester, Massachusetts has an adjusted score of 75.83 points out of 100 versus 50.91 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a difference of 24.92 points above that displayed state peer in the 2025 source-year profile; Worcester ranks 2 of 7 scored jurisdictions in the published state comparison set.
Detailed Crime Class Breakdown
Additional tracked offense classes
- Homicide
- Rape
- Kidnapping/Abduction
- Human Trafficking
- Arson
- Theft From Building
- Theft From Motor Vehicle
- Simple Assault
- Intimidation
- Stolen Property Offenses
- Vandalism
- Weapon Law Violations
- Drug/Narcotic Violations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Worcester safe compared to other places in Massachusetts?
Worcester is classified as having high relative safety in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index. It has an adjusted safety score of 75.83 out of 100 and ranks #2 in this comparison set out of the 7 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in Massachusetts.
What is the crime rate in Worcester?
Public offense rates are listed above.
What is Worcester's safety rating?
Worcester's safety rating in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index is 75.83 out of 100, which ranks #2 in this comparison set out of the 7 jurisdictions in the current scored comparison set in Massachusetts. Its overall crime trajectory is currently classified as decreasing, using source-year data through 2025.
What is the safest neighborhood in Worcester?
This profile covers the reporting jurisdiction; consult local sources for neighborhood detail.
Why are some crime statistics locked for Worcester?
Full offense series: state workbook.
Reading notes
Massachusetts safety directory
Safety Atlas methodology · 2026 coverage report
Cite This Public Safety Profile
Citation formats:
Primary Source Data Integrity
- Crime Counts: FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) database.
- Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimate boundaries.
- Methodology: Adjusted per-capita normalization with small-sample relief controls. View our complete Methodology Documentation.