Is Cambridge or Westford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Westford is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 96/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 405 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 87% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Westford has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 4.8x 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
Westford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Westford, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Westford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 404.9 | +2,676.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 68.2 | +368.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 12.0 | +22.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 0.0 | +91.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 56.1 | +255.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 336.7 | +2,307.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 36.1 | +200.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 268.6 | +2,054.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 32.1 | +52.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Westford safer?
Westford is safer with a total crime rate of 405 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 87% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Westford has 68.2. Westford 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 Westford, MA
Westford, Massachusetts, a Middlesex County town, was once a major granite quarrying center. Today, it's a suburban community with a highly educated population and a median age in the early 40s. Its landscape features rolling hills and numerous lakes. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 24,946, Westford has a total crime rate of 404.9 per 100,000 residents.