Is Cambridge or Woburn Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Woburn is safer than Cambridge (Safety Score 69/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 1,142 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for Cambridge — 63% lower. Cambridge has higher rates in 1 of 6 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Woburn has a 97% lower rate.
Note: Cambridge is 2.8x 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 SAFER than Cambridge, MA?
Cambridge — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Woburn — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cambridge, MA
Woburn, MA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cambridge | Woburn | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,081.0 | 1,142.4 | +1,938.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 436.7 | 215.4 | +221.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.0 | +0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 34.0 | 14.1 | +20.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 91.3 | 2.3 | +89.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 199.0 | +112.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,644.3 | 927.1 | +1,717.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 236.6 | 142.8 | +93.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,323.0 | 671.9 | +1,651.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 84.7 | 112.4 | -27.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cambridge or Woburn safer?
Woburn is safer with a total crime rate of 1,142 per 100K vs 3,081 for Cambridge — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cambridge has a violent crime rate of 436.7 per 100K while Woburn has 215.4. Woburn 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 Woburn, MA
Woburn, a city in Middlesex County, is home to the historic Baldwin House. Situated just north of Boston, it has a diverse population exceeding 40,000 residents. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 42,716, Woburn has a total crime rate of 1,142.4 per 100,000 residents.