Is Cambridge or Northbridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Northbridge is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 96/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 404 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 87% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Northbridge has a 93% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 7.2x 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 SAFER than Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Northbridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Northbridge, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Northbridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 404.5 | +2,676.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 71.4 | +365.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 11.9 | +22.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 6.0 | +85.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 53.5 | +257.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 333.1 | +2,311.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 59.5 | +177.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 267.7 | +2,055.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 6.0 | +78.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Northbridge safer?
Northbridge is safer with a total crime rate of 404 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Northbridge has 71.4. Northbridge 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 Northbridge, MA
Northbridge, a central Massachusetts town, is home to the historic Linwood Mill. Its population of around 16,000 residents is spread across its villages, including Whitinsville. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 16,813, Northbridge has a total crime rate of 404.5 per 100,000 residents.