Question 1

Is Lawrence, MA or Worcester, MA safer?

Accepted Answer

Worcester, MA scores higher on safety. Lawrence, MA has violent crime rated High and property crime rated High. Worcester, MA has violent crime rated Moderate and property crime rated Moderate.

Question 2

Is Lawrence, MA or Worcester, MA more walkable?

Accepted Answer

Lawrence, MA is more walkable. Lawrence, MA has a Walk Score of 25/100 and Worcester, MA has a Walk Score of N/A/100.

Question 3

Which has better schools, Lawrence, MA or Worcester, MA?

Accepted Answer

Worcester, MA has higher-rated schools. Lawrence, MA has a school rating of 7.1/10 and Worcester, MA has a rating of 7.3/10.

Question 4

Should I live in Lawrence, MA or Worcester, MA?

Accepted Answer

If you're a car-dependent budget-conscious family with kids attending public school, Lawrence or Worcester might work, but neither is ideal. For a tight budget and a shorter commute to Boston, Lawrence wins – but expect a rougher ride. If you value walkability and a short commute, neither place is worth considering.

Category	Lawrence, MA	Worcester, MA
Housing
Verdict	Think twice	Think twice
Median Price	N/A	N/A
Median Rent	$1K	N/A
Median Income	$31K	N/A
Price Volatility	High	Moderate ✓ More stable
Getting Around
Walk Score	25/100 ✓ More walkable	Car-dependent
Transit Score	20/100 ✓ Better transit	Minimal transit
Bike Score	N/A	N/A ✓ More bikeable
Commute	38 min ✓ Shorter commute	69 min
Safety & Environment
Safety Grade	F	D+ ✓ Safer
Violent Crime	High	Moderate ✓ Lower risk
Property Crime	High	Moderate ✓ Lower risk
Flood Risk	Low	Low
Air Quality	Moderate	Moderate
Community
Schools	7.1/10	7.3/10 ✓ Better schools
Best for	Budget‑conscious familiesCommute to BostonPeople who prefer a suburban feel over urban amenities	First‑time home buyers seeking affordabilityFamilies valuing strong schoolsUrban culture enthusiasts

Lawrence, MA vs Worcester, MA

Bottom line