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Acton, MA vs Cambridge, MA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Acton crime rate · Cambridge crime rate

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Is Acton, MA or Cambridge, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Acton, MA is safer than Cambridge, MA (Safety Score 95/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 416 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — 86% lower. Acton has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Cambridge has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Cambridge is 4.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Acton, MA?

Acton — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Flat Total

Cambridge — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Acton, MA

Acton, MA
Safety Score 95/100
Coverage 24,506
Total Crime Rate 416.2
Category Wins 6/7

Cambridge, MA

Cambridge, MA
Safety Score 18/100
Coverage 120,447
Total Crime Rate 3,081.0
Category Wins 1/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Acton Cambridge Difference
Total Crime Rate 416.2 3,081.0 -2,664.8
Violent Crime Rate 65.3 436.7 -371.4
Murder Rate 4.1 0.0 +4.1
Rape Rate 12.2 34.0 -21.8
Robbery Rate 0.0 91.3 -91.3
Aggravated Assault Rate 49.0 311.3 -262.4
Property Crime Rate 350.9 2,644.3 -2,293.4
Burglary Rate 77.5 236.6 -159.1
Larceny-Theft Rate 261.2 2,323.0 -2,061.9
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 12.2 84.7 -72.4

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Acton, MA to Cambridge, MA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Acton or Cambridge safer?

Acton, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 416 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — a 86% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Acton has a violent crime rate of 65.3 per 100K while Cambridge has 436.7. Acton has lower violent crime.

About Acton, MA

Acton, a Middlesex County town established in 1735, boasts a rich history including Minutemen participation. Located about 20 miles west-northwest of Boston, it is primarily residential with a highly educated population. With a safety score of 95/100 and a population coverage of 24,506, Acton has a total crime rate of 416.2 per 100,000 residents.

About Cambridge, MA

Nestled across the Charles River from Boston, Cambridge is a vibrant intellectual hub home to Harvard University. Its youthful, highly educated population, with a median age around 30, contributes to its dynamic character. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 120,447, Cambridge has a total crime rate of 3,081.0 per 100,000 residents.

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