Is Cambridge or West Springfield Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Cambridge is safer than West Springfield (Safety Score 18/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100,000 versus 3,588 for West Springfield — 14% lower. Cambridge has lower rates in 4 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where West Springfield has a 51% 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
Violent
Property
Total
West Springfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
West Springfield, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | West Springfield | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 3,588.5 | -507.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 415.3 | +21.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 55.4 | -21.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 45.0 | +46.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 314.9 | -3.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 3,173.2 | -528.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 256.1 | -19.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 2,612.6 | -289.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 304.5 | -219.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or West Springfield safer?
Cambridge is safer with a total crime rate of 3,081 per 100K vs 3,588 for West Springfield — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while West Springfield has 415.3. West Springfield 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 West Springfield, MA
West Springfield, home to the annual Big E fair, sits on the western bank of the Connecticut River. This Hampden County town has a population of over 28,000, with notable Portuguese and Latino communities. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 28,898, West Springfield has a total crime rate of 3,588.5 per 100,000 residents.