Kendall Square Neighborhood, Cambridge

Crime Rate & Statistics

C-

Below-average safety — crime is somewhat above average

Safer than 0% of neighborhoods in Cambridge

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime High

Low 177 / 300 High

Violent Crime 151

51% above national avg

Property Crime 161

61% above national avg

City Ranking

safer than other

Cambridge neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in Cambridge

Is Kendall Square Safe?

Not really — crime is above the national average. Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA has a safety grade of C-. The overall crime index is 177, which is 77% above the national average of 100. Kendall Square is safer than 0% of neighborhoods in Cambridge.

Compared to the Cambridge average (crime index 133), Kendall Square is 44% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.

Looking at specific crime types, assault is the most elevated concern (index: 176, 76% above average), while rape is the lowest risk (index: 85).

Highest Risk

Assault · Index 176 (76% above avg)

Lowest Risk

Rape · Index 85 (15% below avg)

Kendall Square Crime Breakdown

Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Cambridge city average. Higher values mean more crime.

Crime Type	Index	vs National	vs Cambridge	Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder	174	+74%	+29%	High
Assault	176	+76%	+35%	High
Robbery	167	+67%	+37%	High
Rape	85	-15%	N/A	Average
Property Crime
Burglary	144	+44%	+28%	Moderate
Larceny / Theft	168	+68%	+12%	High
Vehicle Theft	172	+72%	+20%	High

How Kendall Square Compares

Crime index by category: Kendall Square vs Cambridge average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Kendall Square Crime Map

Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.

Full Screen Map

Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Kendall Square Demographics & Context

Population

2,284

Median Income

$94,738

Home Value

$968,898

Median Age

Pop. Density

14,230/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 38.9%

Graduate Degree 36.7%

Housing

12%

88%

Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 41.4%

Black 25.5%

Hispanic 14.5%

Asian 22.5%

Nearby Neighborhoods

East Cambridge Index: 179

B-

Wellington-Harrington Index: 154

B-

The Port / Area Four Index: 145

C+

MIT Index: 52

A-

Mid-Cambridge Index: 165

Cambridgeport Index: 143

B-

Riverside Index: 148

C+

Agassiz Index: 74

A-

Kendall Square Crime Map

Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood

Cambridge Crime Statistics

View all Cambridge neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Kendall Square, Cambridge?

Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime index is 177, which is 77% above the national average. Compared to the Cambridge average, crime in Kendall Square is 44% higher. Kendall Square is safer than 0% of neighborhoods in Cambridge.

Is Kendall Square a safe neighborhood in Cambridge?

Kendall Square has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Residents should take standard precautions. The highest concern is Assault (index: 176), while Rape is the lowest risk (index: 85). It is one of the higher-crime neighborhoods in Cambridge.

How does Kendall Square compare to the rest of Cambridge?

Kendall Square's overall crime index is 177, compared to the Cambridge average of 133. This means crime in Kendall Square is 44% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 151, and for property crime it is 161. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.

What type of crime is most common in Kendall Square?

The most prevalent crime type in Kendall Square is Assault, with a crime index of 176 (76% above the national average). Overall, property crime is more prevalent than violent crime in this neighborhood, which is consistent with national trends.

What are safer neighborhoods near Kendall Square?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include East Cambridge, Wellington-Harrington, MIT and Mid-Cambridge. These areas are close to Kendall Square and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Kendall Square?

Kendall Square has a population of approximately 2,284. The median household income is $94,738. The median home value is $968,898. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Kendall Square crime compare to the national average?

Kendall Square's overall crime rate is 77% above the national average (index 177 vs 100). Within Cambridge, it is safer than 0% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.

Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.