Is Cambridge or Norwood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Norwood is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 79/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 880 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 71% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 1 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Norwood has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 3.8x 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
Norwood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Norwood, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Norwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 880.0 | +2,201.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 167.2 | +269.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 3.2 | +30.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 9.5 | +81.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 154.6 | +156.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 712.8 | +1,931.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 53.6 | +183.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 545.7 | +1,777.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 113.6 | -28.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Norwood safer?
Norwood is safer with a total crime rate of 880 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Norwood has 167.2. Norwood 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 Norwood, MA
Norwood, a Middlesex County town, is home to the historic Norwood Theatre. This suburban community, once a hub for printing, lies just southwest of Boston. With a safety score of 79/100 and a population coverage of 31,704, Norwood has a total crime rate of 880.0 per 100,000 residents.