Is Cambridge or Salem Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Salem is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 50/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 45% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 1 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Salem has a 65% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 2.6x 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 SAFER than Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Salem — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Salem, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Salem | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 1,706.0 | +1,375.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 152.3 | +284.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 13.1 | +21.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 34.8 | +56.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 104.5 | +206.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 1,553.7 | +1,090.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 106.6 | +130.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 1,347.0 | +976.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 100.1 | -15.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Salem safer?
Salem is safer with a total crime rate of 1,706 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Salem has 152.3. Salem 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 Salem, MA
Salem, Massachusetts, renowned for the 1692 witch trials, is a small coastal city north of Boston. Its population is approximately 45,000, with a significant portion employed in tourism and education. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 45,955, Salem has a total crime rate of 1,706.0 per 100,000 residents.