Is Ashland or Cambridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Ashland is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 83/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 774 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 75% lower. Ashland has lower rates in 4 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ashland has a 94% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 6.4x 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 SAFER than Ashland, MA?
Ashland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ashland, MA
Cambridge, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashland | Cambridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 774.1 | 3,081.0 | -2,306.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 95.4 | 436.7 | -341.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 10.6 | 34.0 | -23.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.3 | 91.3 | -86.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.5 | 311.3 | -231.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 678.7 | 2,644.3 | -1,965.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 270.4 | 236.6 | +33.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 233.3 | 2,323.0 | -2,089.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 175.0 | 84.7 | +90.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashland or Cambridge safer?
Ashland is safer with a total crime rate of 774 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 95.4 per 100K while Cambridge has 436.7. Ashland has lower violent crime.
About Ashland, MA
Ashland, MA, once home to a section of the Boston Marathon, is a small town in Middlesex County. With a population of around 18,000, it features a mix of suburban and rural landscapes. With a safety score of 83/100 and a population coverage of 18,861, Ashland has a total crime rate of 774.1 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.