Is Cambridge or Wellesley Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Wellesley is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 92/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 532 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 83% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Wellesley has a 100% 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wellesley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Wellesley, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Wellesley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 531.7 | +2,549.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 46.9 | +389.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 9.4 | +24.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 0.0 | +91.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 37.5 | +273.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 484.8 | +2,159.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 65.7 | +170.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 378.4 | +1,944.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 40.7 | +44.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Wellesley safer?
Wellesley is safer with a total crime rate of 532 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 83% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Wellesley has 46.9. Wellesley 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 Wellesley, MA
Wellesley, a affluent Boston suburb known for Wellesley College, occupies a tree-lined landscape with a median household income exceeding $200,000. Its population of around 29,000 residents reflects a highly educated community, with over 80% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. With a safety score of 92/100 and a population coverage of 31,973, Wellesley has a total crime rate of 531.7 per 100,000 residents.