Is Cambridge or Waltham Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Waltham is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 77/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 951 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 69% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cambridge has a 100% lower rate.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Waltham — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Waltham, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Waltham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 951.3 | +2,129.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 252.0 | +184.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 1.5 | -1.5 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 18.3 | +15.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 22.9 | +68.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 209.2 | +102.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 699.4 | +1,945.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 125.2 | +111.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 519.2 | +1,803.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 55.0 | +29.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Waltham safer?
Waltham is safer with a total crime rate of 951 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Waltham has 252.0. Waltham 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 Waltham, MA
Waltham, "Watch City," is a historic industrial suburb of Boston along the Charles River. Home to Brandeis University, its diverse population includes a significant immigrant community. With a safety score of 77/100 and a population coverage of 65,488, Waltham has a total crime rate of 951.3 per 100,000 residents.