Is Cambridge or Leicester Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Leicester is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 76/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 976 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 68% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Leicester has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 10.7x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Leicester — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Leicester, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Leicester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 975.6 | +2,105.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 310.4 | +126.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 26.6 | +7.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 8.9 | +82.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 274.9 | +36.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 665.2 | +1,979.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 79.8 | +156.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 558.8 | +1,764.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 26.6 | +58.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Leicester safer?
Leicester is safer with a total crime rate of 976 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 68% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Leicester has 310.4. Leicester 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 Leicester, MA
Leicester, Massachusetts, home to Becker College until its 2021 closure, is a small town in Worcester County. Its rural character is reflected in its numerous ponds and woodlands. With a safety score of 76/100 and a population coverage of 11,275, Leicester has a total crime rate of 975.6 per 100,000 residents.