Is Cambridge or Holyoke Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Cambridge is safer than Holyoke (Safety Score 18/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100,000 versus 5,273 for Holyoke — 42% lower. Cambridge has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cambridge has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 3.2x 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
Holyoke — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Holyoke, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Holyoke | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 5,273.1 | -2,192.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 1,041.0 | -604.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 7.9 | -7.9 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 78.5 | -44.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 141.2 | -49.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 813.5 | -502.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 4,232.1 | -1,587.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 423.7 | -187.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 3,413.4 | -1,090.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 395.0 | -310.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Holyoke safer?
Cambridge is safer with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100K vs 5,273 for Holyoke — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Holyoke has 1,041.0. 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 Holyoke, MA
Holyoke, "The Paper City," sits on the Connecticut River, a planned industrial city that once led the world in paper production. Over a third of its residents today identify as Hispanic or Latino. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 38,232, Holyoke has a total crime rate of 5,273.1 per 100,000 residents.