Is Cambridge or Tewksbury Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Tewksbury is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 69/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,125 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 63% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Tewksbury has a 90% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 3.8x 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
Violent
Property
Total
Tewksbury — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Tewksbury, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Tewksbury | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 1,124.8 | +1,956.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 254.5 | +182.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 50.3 | -16.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 9.4 | +81.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 194.8 | +116.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 870.3 | +1,774.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 75.4 | +161.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 732.1 | +1,590.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 62.8 | +21.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Tewksbury safer?
Tewksbury is safer with a total crime rate of 1,125 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Tewksbury has 254.5. Tewksbury 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 Tewksbury, MA
Tewksbury, a town incorporated in 1734, is part of Middlesex County and home to the Tewksbury State Hospital. Located just north of Lowell, it's primarily a residential community with a population of over 30,000. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 31,827, Tewksbury has a total crime rate of 1,124.8 per 100,000 residents.