Moving from Boston, MA to Cambridge, MA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Boston, MA or Cambridge, MA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Boston, MA is safer than Cambridge, MA (Safety Score 25/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — 14% lower. Boston has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cambridge has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Boston is 5.5x 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 Boston, MA?
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
Cambridge, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | Cambridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 3,081.0 | -431.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 436.7 | +191.3 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 0.0 | +3.6 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 34.0 | -8.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 91.3 | +35.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 311.3 | +160.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 2,644.3 | -622.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 236.6 | -58.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 2,323.0 | -635.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 84.7 | +71.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Boston, MA to Cambridge, MA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or Cambridge safer?
Boston, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 2,650 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while Cambridge has 436.7. Cambridge has lower violent crime.
About Boston, MA
Boston, a city steeped in American Revolution history, sits on Massachusetts Bay. This densely populated urban center is home to a diverse population and numerous universities. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 659,049, Boston has a total crime rate of 2,649.7 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.