Is Braintree or Cambridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Braintree is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 60/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 54% lower. Braintree has lower rates in 5 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Braintree has a 75% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 3.1x 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 Braintree, MA?
Braintree — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Braintree, MA
Cambridge, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Braintree | Cambridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,404.5 | 3,081.0 | -1,676.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 284.5 | 436.7 | -152.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 34.0 | +4.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 23.1 | 91.3 | -68.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 223.0 | 311.3 | -88.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,120.0 | 2,644.3 | -1,524.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 59.0 | 236.6 | -177.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 971.4 | 2,323.0 | -1,351.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 89.7 | 84.7 | +5.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Braintree or Cambridge safer?
Braintree is safer with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Braintree has a violent crime rate of 284.5 per 100K while Cambridge has 436.7. Braintree has lower violent crime.
About Braintree, MA
Braintree, a South Shore suburb, is home to the birthplace of President John Adams. This town of over 38,000 residents lies just south of Boston, with easy access to major highways. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 39,018, Braintree has a total crime rate of 1,404.5 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.