Is Cambridge or Palmer Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Palmer is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 77/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 949 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 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
Violent
Property
Total
Palmer — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Palmer, MA
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Palmer safer?
Palmer is safer with a total crime rate of 949 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — 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.