Is Andover or Cambridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Andover is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 79/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 872 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 72% lower. Andover has lower rates in 6 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Andover has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 3.2x 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 Andover, MA?
Andover — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Andover, MA
Cambridge, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Andover | Cambridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 872.1 | 3,081.0 | -2,208.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 94.2 | 436.7 | -342.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 8.1 | 34.0 | -26.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 2.7 | 91.3 | -88.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 83.4 | 311.3 | -227.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 777.9 | 2,644.3 | -1,866.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 169.6 | 236.6 | -67.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 578.7 | 2,323.0 | -1,744.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 29.6 | 84.7 | -55.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Andover or Cambridge safer?
Andover is safer with a total crime rate of 872 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Andover has a violent crime rate of 94.2 per 100K while Cambridge has 436.7. Andover has lower violent crime.
About Andover, MA
Andover, a historic town in Essex County, is home to Phillips Academy, founded in 1778. This affluent community, part of the Merrimack Valley, sits roughly 23 miles north of Boston. With a safety score of 79/100 and a population coverage of 37,152, Andover has a total crime rate of 872.1 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.