Is Cambridge or Lexington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lexington is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 96/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 387 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 87% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Lexington has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 3.5x 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
Lexington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Lexington, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Lexington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 387.2 | +2,693.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 52.4 | +384.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 8.7 | +25.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 2.9 | +88.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 40.8 | +270.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 334.8 | +2,309.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 52.4 | +184.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 273.7 | +2,049.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 8.7 | +76.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Lexington safer?
Lexington is safer with a total crime rate of 387 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Lexington has 52.4. Lexington 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 Lexington, MA
Lexington, MA, a town of approximately 34,000 residents, is famously where the first shots of the American Revolutionary War were fired. Located in Middlesex County, it's a affluent suburban community northwest of Boston. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 34,350, Lexington has a total crime rate of 387.2 per 100,000 residents.