Is Cambridge or Pittsfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Pittsfield is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 48/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,751 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 43% lower. Cambridge has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cambridge has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 2.8x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pittsfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Pittsfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Pittsfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 1,750.9 | +1,330.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 511.3 | -74.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.7 | -4.7 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 98.1 | -64.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 28.0 | +63.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 380.5 | -69.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 1,239.6 | +1,404.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 385.2 | -148.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 756.4 | +1,566.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 98.1 | -13.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Pittsfield safer?
Pittsfield is safer with a total crime rate of 1,751 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Pittsfield has 511.3. 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 Pittsfield, MA
Pittsfield, nestled in the Berkshire Mountains, is the county seat of Berkshire County. Herman Melville wrote "Moby Dick" here. Its population is approximately 42,000. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 42,835, Pittsfield has a total crime rate of 1,750.9 per 100,000 residents.