Is Barnstable or Cambridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Barnstable is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 67/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,196 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 61% lower. Barnstable 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 2.4x 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 Barnstable, MA?
Barnstable — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Barnstable, MA
Cambridge, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Barnstable | Cambridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,195.8 | 3,081.0 | -1,885.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 410.4 | 436.7 | -26.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 0.0 | +2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 64.8 | 34.0 | +30.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 17.7 | 91.3 | -73.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 326.0 | 311.3 | +14.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 785.4 | 2,644.3 | -1,858.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 131.6 | 236.6 | -105.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 581.2 | 2,323.0 | -1,741.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 72.7 | 84.7 | -12.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barnstable or Cambridge safer?
Barnstable is safer with a total crime rate of 1,196 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Barnstable has a violent crime rate of 410.4 per 100K while Cambridge has 436.7. Barnstable has lower violent crime.
About Barnstable, MA
Barnstable, the largest community on Cape Cod, is a historic town of villages including Hyannis, a major transportation hub. Its population of over 45,000 makes it the most populous municipality in Barnstable County. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 50,928, Barnstable has a total crime rate of 1,195.8 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.