Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 120,447
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Cambridge, Massachusetts Safe?
Cambridge has a safety score of 44/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,081.0 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Cambridge ranks #182 out of 186 cities in Massachusetts and #2431 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 18th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 82% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Cambridge is larceny-theft, at 2,323.0 per 100K — 1.4x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Cambridge's total crime rate increased by 7.4%, with violent crime declining 8.9%.
Cambridge Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 526 | 436.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 41 | 34.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 110 | 91.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 375 | 311.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 3,185 | 2,644.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 285 | 236.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,798 | 2,323.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 102 | 84.7 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Cambridge vs Massachusetts Average
How does Cambridge's crime rate compare to the Massachusetts state average?
| Metric | Cambridge | Massachusetts Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 312.0 | +40.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 1,086.7 | +143.3% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.0 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 1,398.7 | +120.3% |
Cambridge Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 120,447 | 3,081.0 | 436.7 | 2,644.3 |
| 2023 | 118,960 | 2,869.0 | 479.2 | 2,389.9 |
| 2022 | 117,044 | 2,645.2 | 405.0 | 2,240.2 |
| 2021 | 121,699 | 2,247.4 | 305.7 | 1,941.7 |
| 2020 | 119,938 | 2,116.1 | 284.3 | 1,831.8 |
| 2019 | 119,908 | 1,932.3 | 278.6 | 1,653.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge, Massachusetts safe?
Cambridge has a safety score of 44/100. With a total crime rate of 3,081.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Cambridge is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Cambridge, Massachusetts?
According to FBI data for 2024, Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,644.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does Cambridge compare to the national average?
Cambridge's total crime rate of 3,081.0 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 120,447.
What types of crime are most common in Cambridge?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Cambridge include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Cambridge safe to visit?
Like any city, Cambridge has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 44/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.