Is Cambridge or Nantucket Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Nantucket is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 70/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,116 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 64% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Nantucket has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 8.1x 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
Nantucket — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Nantucket, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Nantucket | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 1,115.7 | +1,965.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 202.9 | +233.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 40.6 | -6.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 0.0 | +91.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 162.3 | +149.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 912.8 | +1,731.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 74.4 | +162.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 791.1 | +1,531.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 47.3 | +37.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Nantucket safer?
Nantucket is safer with a total crime rate of 1,116 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Nantucket has 202.9. Nantucket 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 Nantucket, MA
Nantucket, a remote island 30 miles south of Cape Cod, was once the whaling capital of the world. Today, its well-preserved historic district and pristine beaches attract a seasonal influx of wealthy summer residents, while year-round inhabitants number around 14,000. With a safety score of 70/100 and a population coverage of 14,789, Nantucket has a total crime rate of 1,115.7 per 100,000 residents.