Is Cambridge or Natick Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Natick is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 62/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,349 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 56% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Natick has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 3.2x 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
Natick — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Natick, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Natick | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 1,348.7 | +1,732.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 213.1 | +223.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 10.8 | +23.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 8.1 | +83.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 194.2 | +117.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 1,135.6 | +1,508.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 72.8 | +163.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 1,035.8 | +1,287.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 27.0 | +57.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Natick safer?
Natick is safer with a total crime rate of 1,349 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 56% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Natick has 213.1. Natick 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 Natick, MA
Natick, Massachusetts, a town in Middlesex County, is home to the world's first industrial park. Its population of over 36,000 residents enjoys a suburban landscape just 17 miles west of Boston. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 37,073, Natick has a total crime rate of 1,348.7 per 100,000 residents.