Is Cambridge or Framingham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Framingham is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 61/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,380 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 55% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 2 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Framingham has a 70% lower rate.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Framingham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Framingham, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Framingham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 1,379.9 | +1,701.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 325.5 | +111.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 9.6 | +24.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 27.4 | +64.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 288.6 | +22.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 1,054.4 | +1,589.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 374.7 | -138.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 568.9 | +1,754.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 110.8 | -26.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Framingham safer?
Framingham is safer with a total crime rate of 1,380 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Framingham has 325.5. Framingham 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 Framingham, MA
Framingham, home to the world's first marathon, is a populous town in Middlesex County. Its diverse population of over 72,000 residents reflects its history as a manufacturing hub and present-day status as a regional center. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 73,123, Framingham has a total crime rate of 1,379.9 per 100,000 residents.