Is Cambridge or Franklin Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Franklin is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 96/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 383 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 88% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Franklin has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 3.6x 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
Violent
Property
Total
Franklin — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Franklin, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Franklin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 382.6 | +2,698.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 94.9 | +341.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 3.0 | +31.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 3.0 | +88.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 89.0 | +222.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 287.7 | +2,356.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 41.5 | +195.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 213.6 | +2,109.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 32.6 | +52.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Franklin safer?
Franklin is safer with a total crime rate of 383 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 88% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Franklin has 94.9. Franklin 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 Franklin, MA
Franklin, Massachusetts, birthplace of Horace Mann, is a suburban town in Norfolk County with a population of over 33,000. It's home to the nation's first public library, established with a donation from Benjamin Franklin. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 33,716, Franklin has a total crime rate of 382.6 per 100,000 residents.