Moving from Cambridge, MA to Needham, 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.
Is Cambridge, MA or Needham, MA Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Needham, MA is safer than Cambridge, MA (Safety Score 86/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 699 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — 77% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Needham has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 3.7x 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 SAFER than Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Needham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Needham, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Needham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 698.6 | +2,382.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 51.9 | +384.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 12.2 | +21.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 0.0 | +91.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 39.7 | +271.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 646.8 | +1,997.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 73.2 | +163.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 536.9 | +1,786.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 36.6 | +48.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Cambridge, MA to Needham, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Needham safer?
Needham, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 699 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — a 77% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Needham has 51.9. Needham 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 Needham, MA
Needham, a suburban town in Norfolk County, is home to the first-ever American-made baseball. Located just west of Boston, it boasts a highly educated population and a charming town center. With a safety score of 86/100 and a population coverage of 32,779, Needham has a total crime rate of 698.6 per 100,000 residents.