Is Cambridge or Westwood Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Westwood is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 67/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,190 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 61% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 0 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Westwood has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 7.3x 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
Westwood — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Westwood, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Westwood | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 1,190.3 | +1,890.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 42.3 | +394.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 0.0 | +34.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 0.0 | +91.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 42.3 | +269.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 1,148.0 | +1,496.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 60.4 | +176.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 1,051.3 | +1,271.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 36.3 | +48.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Westwood safer?
Westwood is safer with a total crime rate of 1,190 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Westwood has 42.3. Westwood 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 Westwood, MA
Westwood, MA, a affluent suburb southwest of Boston, is known for its excellent public schools. Settled in the 17th century, it was originally part of Dedham before incorporating in 1897. With a safety score of 67/100 and a population coverage of 16,551, Westwood has a total crime rate of 1,190.3 per 100,000 residents.