Is Athol or Cambridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Athol is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 67/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,184 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 62% lower. Athol has lower rates in 5 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Athol has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 9.9x 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 SAFER than Athol, MA?
Athol — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Athol, MA
Cambridge, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Athol | Cambridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,183.7 | 3,081.0 | -1,897.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 452.1 | 436.7 | +15.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 57.5 | 34.0 | +23.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 91.3 | -91.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 394.6 | 311.3 | +83.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 731.6 | 2,644.3 | -1,912.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 106.9 | 236.6 | -129.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 616.5 | 2,323.0 | -1,706.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 8.2 | 84.7 | -76.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athol or Cambridge safer?
Athol is safer with a total crime rate of 1,184 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Athol has a violent crime rate of 452.1 per 100K while Cambridge has 436.7. Cambridge has lower violent crime.
About Athol, MA
Athol, "Tool Town," is a small manufacturing community in north-central Massachusetts, bisected by the Millers River. Its population of around 9,000 has seen a slight decline in recent decades. The town once boasted a thriving shoe industry. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 12,165, Athol has a total crime rate of 1,183.7 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.