Is Cambridge or Norwell Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Norwell is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 92/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 531 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 83% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Norwell has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 10.5x 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
Norwell — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Norwell, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Norwell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 530.5 | +2,550.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 52.2 | +384.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 0.0 | +34.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 17.4 | +73.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 34.8 | +276.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 478.3 | +2,166.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 52.2 | +184.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 400.1 | +1,922.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 26.1 | +58.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Norwell safer?
Norwell is safer with a total crime rate of 531 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Norwell has 52.2. Norwell 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 Norwell, MA
Norwell, Massachusetts, a picturesque South Shore town, was historically known for its shipbuilding industry along the North River. This affluent community, predominantly residential, boasts a median household income significantly above the state average. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 11,498, Norwell has a total crime rate of 530.5 per 100,000 residents.