Is Cambridge or Shrewsbury Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Shrewsbury is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 87/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 673 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 78% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Shrewsbury has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 3.0x 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
Shrewsbury — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Shrewsbury, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Shrewsbury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 672.7 | +2,408.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 30.1 | +406.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 2.5 | +31.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 2.5 | +88.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 25.1 | +286.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 642.6 | +2,001.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 50.2 | +186.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 572.3 | +1,750.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 20.1 | +64.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Shrewsbury safer?
Shrewsbury is safer with a total crime rate of 673 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 78% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Shrewsbury has 30.1. Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury, MA
Shrewsbury, MA, founded in 1727, is a suburban town in Worcester County. It's known as the birthplace of inventor Elijah White and borders Lake Quinsigamond. With a safety score of 87/100 and a population coverage of 39,837, Shrewsbury has a total crime rate of 672.7 per 100,000 residents.