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Cambridge, MA vs Wakefield, MA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Cambridge crime rate · Wakefield crime rate

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Is Cambridge, MA or Wakefield, MA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Wakefield, MA is safer than Cambridge, MA (Safety Score 90/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 584 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — 81% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where Wakefield has a 92% lower rate.

Note: Cambridge is 4.2x 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

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Wakefield — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Cambridge, MA

Cambridge, MA
Safety Score 18/100
Coverage 120,447
Total Crime Rate 3,081.0
Category Wins 0/6

Wakefield, MA

Wakefield, MA
Safety Score 90/100
Coverage 28,594
Total Crime Rate 584.0
Category Wins 6/6

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Cambridge Wakefield Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,081.0 584.0 +2,497.0
Violent Crime Rate 436.7 174.9 +261.9
Murder Rate 0.0 0.0 +0.0
Rape Rate 34.0 56.0 -21.9
Robbery Rate 91.3 7.0 +84.3
Aggravated Assault Rate 311.3 111.9 +199.4
Property Crime Rate 2,644.3 409.2 +2,235.1
Burglary Rate 236.6 45.5 +191.2
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,323.0 293.8 +2,029.2
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 84.7 69.9 +14.7

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Cambridge, MA to Wakefield, MA?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambridge or Wakefield safer?

Wakefield, MA is safer with a total crime rate of 584 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge, MA — a 81% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Wakefield has 174.9. Wakefield 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 Wakefield, MA

Wakefield, Massachusetts, a Middlesex County town established in 1644, is home to Lake Quannapowitt. This suburban community, with a population around 27,000, offers a mix of residential areas and local businesses. With a safety score of 90/100 and a population coverage of 28,594, Wakefield has a total crime rate of 584.0 per 100,000 residents.

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