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Cambridge, MA vs Phoenix, AZ Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Cambridge crime rate · Phoenix crime rate

Moving from Cambridge, MA to Phoenix, AZ?

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Is Cambridge, MA or Phoenix, AZ Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Cambridge, MA is safer than Phoenix, AZ (Safety Score 18/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100,000 versus 3,125 for Phoenix, AZ — 1% lower. Cambridge has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Cambridge has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Phoenix is 13.8x 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

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Phoenix — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Cambridge, MA

Cambridge, MA
Safety Score 18/100
Coverage 120,447
Total Crime Rate 3,081.0
Category Wins 5/7

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ
Safety Score 17/100
Coverage 1,662,809
Total Crime Rate 3,125.4
Category Wins 2/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Cambridge Phoenix Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,081.0 3,125.4 -44.3
Violent Crime Rate 436.7 800.0 -363.3
Murder Rate 0.0 8.4 -8.4
Rape Rate 34.0 64.3 -30.3
Robbery Rate 91.3 181.6 -90.3
Aggravated Assault Rate 311.3 545.3 -234.0
Property Crime Rate 2,644.3 2,325.3 +319.0
Burglary Rate 236.6 317.2 -80.6
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,323.0 1,582.1 +740.9
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 84.7 426.0 -341.4

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

Moving from Cambridge, MA to Phoenix, AZ?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambridge or Phoenix safer?

Cambridge, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100K vs 3,125 for Phoenix, AZ — a 1% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Phoenix has 800.0. Cambridge 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 Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, Arizona, the "Valley of the Sun," is a sprawling desert metropolis with a rich Native American heritage, including the Hohokam people. It's the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, experiencing rapid growth in recent decades. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 1,662,809, Phoenix has a total crime rate of 3,125.4 per 100,000 residents.

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