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Burlington, MA vs Cambridge, MA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Burlington crime rate · Cambridge crime rate

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Is Burlington, MA or Cambridge, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Burlington, MA is safer than Cambridge, MA (Safety Score 44/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,888 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — 39% lower. Burlington has lower rates in 6 of 6 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Burlington has a 84% 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 SAFER than Burlington, MA?

Burlington — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Cambridge — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Burlington, MA

Burlington, MA
Safety Score 44/100
Coverage 27,124
Total Crime Rate 1,887.6
Category Wins 6/6

Cambridge, MA

Cambridge, MA
Safety Score 18/100
Coverage 120,447
Total Crime Rate 3,081.0
Category Wins 0/6

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Burlington Cambridge Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,887.6 3,081.0 -1,193.4
Violent Crime Rate 224.9 436.7 -211.8
Murder Rate 0.0 0.0 +0.0
Rape Rate 22.1 34.0 -11.9
Robbery Rate 14.8 91.3 -76.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 188.0 311.3 -123.3
Property Crime Rate 1,662.7 2,644.3 -981.6
Burglary Rate 95.9 236.6 -140.8
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,519.0 2,323.0 -804.1
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 47.9 84.7 -36.8

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Burlington, 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burlington or Cambridge safer?

Burlington, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,888 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — a 39% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Burlington has a violent crime rate of 224.9 per 100K while Cambridge has 436.7. Burlington has lower violent crime.

About Burlington, MA

Burlington, MA, a Middlesex County suburb, is known for its robust tech industry and the Burlington Mall. It was incorporated in 1799, separating from Woburn, and is home to a diverse, affluent population. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 27,124, Burlington has a total crime rate of 1,887.6 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.

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