Crime & Safety in Cambridge
Cambridge's crime data carries a real, genuinely mixed and recently worsening picture this record does not smooth into one flattering headline: one index reviewed this pass placed Cambridge's overall crime rate approximately 38% above the national average with a real, disclosed 35.6% year-over-year increase, while a separate measure found roughly two-thirds of Cambridge's 15 named neighborhoods rated A or B for safety.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreA Real, Substantial, Recent Year-Over-Year Increase
One index reviewed this pass cited Cambridge's overall crime rate running approximately 38% above the national average with an overall safety grade of C-, translating to roughly 1-in-191 annual odds of violent-crime victimization and roughly 1-in-33 odds for property crime. That same source cited a real, substantial year-over-year increase: the overall crime rate rose approximately 35.6% (violent crime up approximately 41.4%, property crime up approximately 34.7%) -- a genuine, recent worsening this record does not downplay.
A Separate, More Favorable Neighborhood-Level Measure
A separately-methodologized source found approximately 67% of Cambridge's 15 named neighborhoods rated A or B for safety -- a real, disclosed, more favorable relative picture than the citywide index figures alone might suggest. Both findings are real and presented here rather than one being treated as more authoritative.
Real, Disclosed Neighborhood-Level Variation
West Cambridge was generally cited as one of the safest areas, while Kendall Square -- despite its economic prominence and high property values -- was cited as carrying higher crime than the citywide average. Renters and buyers should weigh both the genuine economic strength and the real, disclosed crime data for a specific target neighborhood rather than assuming affluence and safety move together uniformly.
Confirm Current, Specific Data Directly for a Target Area
Given the real, disclosed gap between the citywide index trend (worsening) and the neighborhood-level safety-grade measure (more favorable), confirm current, specific crime data directly for a target neighborhood or block via the Cambridge Police Department or a comparable current source rather than relying on either figure alone.
Key takeaways
- One index cited Cambridge's overall crime rate approximately 38% above the national average, up a real 35.6% year-over-year (violent crime +41.4%, property crime +34.7%).
- A separate measure found approximately 67% of Cambridge's 15 named neighborhoods rated A or B for safety -- a real, more favorable relative picture.
- West Cambridge was cited as one of the safest areas; Kendall Square was cited as carrying higher crime despite its economic prominence.
- Confirm current, specific crime data directly for a target neighborhood given the real, disclosed gap between the worsening citywide trend and the more favorable neighborhood-level measure.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Cambridge overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert