Is Cambridge or Chelsea Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chelsea is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 30/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,415 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 22% lower. Cambridge has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cambridge has a 100% 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 Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chelsea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Chelsea, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Chelsea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 2,414.7 | +666.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 978.9 | -542.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.2 | -5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 80.9 | -46.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 120.1 | -28.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 772.7 | -461.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 1,435.8 | +1,208.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 148.8 | +87.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 1,151.2 | +1,171.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 135.8 | -51.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Chelsea safer?
Chelsea is safer with a total crime rate of 2,415 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Chelsea has 978.9. 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 Chelsea, MA
Chelsea, a dense urban gateway city across the Mystic River from Boston, boasts a rich immigrant history. Settled in 1624, it was once home to a vibrant industrial port and is now Massachusetts' smallest city by land area. With a safety score of 30/100 and a population coverage of 38,307, Chelsea has a total crime rate of 2,414.7 per 100,000 residents.