Is Cambridge or Gloucester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Gloucester is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 81/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 830 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 73% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Gloucester has a 96% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 3.9x 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
Gloucester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Gloucester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Gloucester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 830.1 | +2,250.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 277.8 | +158.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 36.0 | -1.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 3.3 | +88.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 238.6 | +72.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 552.3 | +2,092.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 98.0 | +138.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 415.1 | +1,908.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 39.2 | +45.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Gloucester safer?
Gloucester is safer with a total crime rate of 830 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Gloucester has 277.8. Gloucester 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 Gloucester, MA
Gloucester, Massachusetts, a historic fishing port on Cape Ann, is home to the iconic "Man at the Wheel" statue. This city of roughly 30,000 residents boasts a significant Portuguese-American population. With a safety score of 81/100 and a population coverage of 30,599, Gloucester has a total crime rate of 830.1 per 100,000 residents.