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Cambridge, MA vs Charlotte, NC Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Cambridge crime rate · Charlotte crime rate

Moving from Cambridge, MA to Charlotte, NC?

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Is Cambridge, MA or Charlotte, NC Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Cambridge, MA is safer than Charlotte, NC (Safety Score 18/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100,000 versus 4,439 for Charlotte, NC — 31% lower. Cambridge has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Cambridge has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Charlotte is 8.3x 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 Cambridge, MA?

Cambridge — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Charlotte — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Flat Total

Cambridge, MA

Cambridge, MA
Safety Score 18/100
Coverage 120,447
Total Crime Rate 3,081.0
Category Wins 7/7

Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, NC
Safety Score 6/100
Coverage 1,003,130
Total Crime Rate 4,439.0
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Cambridge Charlotte Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,081.0 4,439.0 -1,358.0
Violent Crime Rate 436.7 733.7 -297.0
Murder Rate 0.0 10.9 -10.9
Rape Rate 34.0 24.9 +9.1
Robbery Rate 91.3 130.4 -39.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 311.3 567.0 -255.7
Property Crime Rate 2,644.3 3,705.3 -1,061.0
Burglary Rate 236.6 427.1 -190.4
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,323.0 2,518.2 -195.2
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 84.7 760.0 -675.3

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

Moving from Cambridge, MA to Charlotte, NC?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambridge or Charlotte safer?

Cambridge, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100K vs 4,439 for Charlotte, NC — a 31% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Charlotte has 733.7. Cambridge has lower violent crime.

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.

About Charlotte, NC

Charlotte-Mecklenburg, a major financial hub, sits in the Carolina Piedmont. The region is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, reflecting its deep ties to motorsports. Its diverse population has grown significantly, making it North Carolina's largest county. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 1,003,130, Charlotte has a total crime rate of 4,439.0 per 100,000 residents.

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