Is Bellingham or Cambridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Bellingham is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 65/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 59% lower. Bellingham has lower rates in 6 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bellingham has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 6.7x 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 Bellingham, MA?
Bellingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bellingham, MA
Cambridge, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bellingham | Cambridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,259.7 | 3,081.0 | -1,821.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 215.5 | 436.7 | -221.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 44.2 | 34.0 | +10.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.1 | 91.3 | -69.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 149.2 | 311.3 | -162.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,044.3 | 2,644.3 | -1,600.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 66.3 | 236.6 | -170.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 917.2 | 2,323.0 | -1,405.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 60.8 | 84.7 | -23.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellingham or Cambridge safer?
Bellingham is safer with a total crime rate of 1,260 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 59% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bellingham has a violent crime rate of 215.5 per 100K while Cambridge has 436.7. Bellingham has lower violent crime.
About Bellingham, MA
Bellingham, Massachusetts, a suburban town in southeastern Worcester County, was incorporated in 1719. It's home to roughly 19,000 residents and features a mix of residential areas and commercial zones along Route 126. With a safety score of 65/100 and a population coverage of 18,099, Bellingham has a total crime rate of 1,259.7 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.