Is Brookline or Cambridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Brookline is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 75/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 995 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 68% lower. Brookline has lower rates in 6 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Brookline has a 83% lower rate.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Brookline, MA?
Brookline — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brookline, MA
Cambridge, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brookline | Cambridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 995.0 | 3,081.0 | -2,086.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 99.8 | 436.7 | -336.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 4.7 | 34.0 | -29.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.6 | 91.3 | -75.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 79.5 | 311.3 | -231.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 895.2 | 2,644.3 | -1,749.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 85.8 | 236.6 | -150.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 784.4 | 2,323.0 | -1,538.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 25.0 | 84.7 | -59.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brookline or Cambridge safer?
Brookline is safer with a total crime rate of 995 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brookline has a violent crime rate of 99.8 per 100K while Cambridge has 436.7. Brookline has lower violent crime.
About Brookline, MA
Brookline, Massachusetts, a town surrounded by Boston, is home to the historic Coolidge Corner Theatre. This affluent community, with a significant Jewish population, boasts tree-lined streets and a dense, educated populace. With a safety score of 75/100 and a population coverage of 64,122, Brookline has a total crime rate of 995.0 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.