Is Cambridge or Swansea Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Swansea is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 80/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 861 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 72% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 1 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Swansea has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 6.8x 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
Swansea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Swansea, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Swansea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 860.9 | +2,220.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 129.4 | +307.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 22.5 | +11.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 11.3 | +80.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 95.7 | +215.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 731.5 | +1,912.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 61.9 | +174.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 579.6 | +1,743.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 90.0 | -5.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Swansea safer?
Swansea is safer with a total crime rate of 861 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Swansea has 129.4. Swansea 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 Swansea, MA
Swansea, MA, settled in 1667, is a suburban town in Bristol County. Its eastern border is formed by the Taunton River, and many residents commute to Providence, RI. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 17,772, Swansea has a total crime rate of 860.9 per 100,000 residents.