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Cambridge, MA vs Medford, MA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Cambridge crime rate · Medford crime rate

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Is Cambridge, MA or Medford, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Medford, MA is safer than Cambridge, MA (Safety Score 61/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,379 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — 55% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 1 of 6 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Medford has a 74% lower rate.

Note: Cambridge is 2.0x 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

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Medford — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Cambridge, MA

Cambridge, MA
Safety Score 18/100
Coverage 120,447
Total Crime Rate 3,081.0
Category Wins 1/6

Medford, MA

Medford, MA
Safety Score 61/100
Coverage 59,601
Total Crime Rate 1,379.2
Category Wins 5/6

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Cambridge Medford Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,081.0 1,379.2 +1,701.9
Violent Crime Rate 436.7 179.5 +257.2
Murder Rate 0.0 0.0 +0.0
Rape Rate 34.0 21.8 +12.2
Robbery Rate 91.3 23.5 +67.8
Aggravated Assault Rate 311.3 134.2 +177.1
Property Crime Rate 2,644.3 1,199.6 +1,444.7
Burglary Rate 236.6 77.2 +159.4
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,323.0 1,006.7 +1,316.3
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 84.7 115.8 -31.1

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Cambridge, MA to Medford, MA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambridge or Medford safer?

Medford, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,379 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — a 55% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Medford has 179.5. Medford 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 Medford, MA

Medford, home to Tufts University, is a historic city just north of Boston. Situated along the Mystic River, it's a densely populated community with a rich past, including its shipbuilding heritage. With a safety score of 61/100 and a population coverage of 59,601, Medford has a total crime rate of 1,379.2 per 100,000 residents.

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