Is Cambridge or Ludlow Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Ludlow is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 82/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 789 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 74% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ludlow has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 5.7x 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
Ludlow — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Ludlow, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Ludlow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 788.6 | +2,292.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 173.7 | +263.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 14.1 | +20.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 0.0 | +91.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 159.6 | +151.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 614.9 | +2,029.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 65.7 | +170.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 464.7 | +1,858.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 84.5 | +0.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Ludlow safer?
Ludlow is safer with a total crime rate of 789 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Ludlow has 173.7. Ludlow 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 Ludlow, MA
Ludlow, Massachusetts, a town in Hampden County, was historically known for its textile mills, particularly the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates. It's situated on the Chicopee River, with a significant Portuguese-American population. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 21,304, Ludlow has a total crime rate of 788.6 per 100,000 residents.