Is Belmont or Cambridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Belmont is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 83/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 755 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 75% lower. Belmont has lower rates in 6 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Belmont has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 4.4x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Belmont, MA?
Belmont — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Belmont, MA
Cambridge, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Belmont | Cambridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 755.1 | 3,081.0 | -2,325.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 51.3 | 436.7 | -385.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 29.3 | 34.0 | -4.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.3 | 91.3 | -84.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 14.7 | 311.3 | -296.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 703.8 | 2,644.3 | -1,940.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 154.0 | 236.6 | -82.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 509.5 | 2,323.0 | -1,813.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 40.3 | 84.7 | -44.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belmont or Cambridge safer?
Belmont is safer with a total crime rate of 755 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Belmont has a violent crime rate of 51.3 per 100K while Cambridge has 436.7. Belmont has lower violent crime.
About Belmont, MA
Belmont, a affluent Boston suburb, is home to McLean Hospital, a renowned psychiatric facility. This small town is characterized by its tree-lined streets and historic homes. With a safety score of 83/100 and a population coverage of 27,280, Belmont has a total crime rate of 755.1 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.