Is Cambridge or Fall River Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Fall River is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 37/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,137 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 31% lower. Cambridge has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cambridge has a 100% lower rate.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fall River — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Fall River, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Fall River | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 2,136.6 | +944.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 745.0 | -308.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.1 | -3.1 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 60.7 | -26.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 100.5 | -9.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 578.6 | -267.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 1,391.6 | +1,252.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 231.2 | +5.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 996.1 | +1,326.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 164.3 | -79.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Fall River safer?
Fall River is safer with a total crime rate of 2,137 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Fall River has 745.0. 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 Fall River, MA
Fall River, site of the infamous Lizzie Borden case, is a South Coast Massachusetts city nestled along the Taunton River. Once a major textile center, its population is now largely working-class, with a significant Portuguese heritage. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 95,573, Fall River has a total crime rate of 2,136.6 per 100,000 residents.