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Cambridge, MA vs Palmer, MA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Cambridge crime rate · Palmer crime rate

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Is Cambridge, MA or Palmer, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Palmer, MA is safer than Cambridge, MA (Safety Score 77/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 949 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — 69% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Palmer has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Cambridge is 9.6x 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

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Palmer — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Cambridge, MA

Cambridge, MA
Safety Score 18/100
Coverage 120,447
Total Crime Rate 3,081.0
Category Wins 0/6

Palmer, MA

Palmer, MA
Safety Score 77/100
Coverage 12,534
Total Crime Rate 949.4
Category Wins 6/6

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Cambridge Palmer Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,081.0 949.4 +2,131.6
Violent Crime Rate 436.7 375.0 +61.7
Murder Rate 0.0 0.0 +0.0
Rape Rate 34.0 31.9 +2.1
Robbery Rate 91.3 0.0 +91.3
Aggravated Assault Rate 311.3 343.1 -31.7
Property Crime Rate 2,644.3 574.4 +2,069.9
Burglary Rate 236.6 119.7 +117.0
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,323.0 375.0 +1,948.0
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 84.7 79.8 +4.9

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Cambridge, MA to Palmer, MA?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambridge or Palmer safer?

Palmer, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 949 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — a 69% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Palmer has 375.0. Palmer 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 Palmer, MA

Palmer, Massachusetts, a rural town in Hampden County, is known for its "Four Corners" where four distinct villages meet. Historically, it was a significant railroad hub, once home to a major roundhouse and repair shop. With a safety score of 77/100 and a population coverage of 12,534, Palmer has a total crime rate of 949.4 per 100,000 residents.

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