Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Portland, ME has a Safety Score of 24/100 — higher crime than 76% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,745.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,258 of 2,957 US cities and #16 of 20 in Maine.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Portland, ME?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Portland, Maine Safe?
Portland, Maine, a coastal city with a deep maritime history, is the most populous city in the state. Its working waterfront and vibrant arts scene reflect its heritage and modern demographic mix.
Portland has a safety score of 24/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,745.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Portland ranks #16 out of 20 cities in Maine and #2258 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 24th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 76% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Portland is larceny-theft, at 2,177.2 per 100K — 1.3x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, Portland's total crime rate increased by 41.6%, with violent crime rising 17%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Portland Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 185 | 266.9 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 5 | 7.2 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 29 | 41.8 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 35 | 50.5 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 116 | 167.4 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 1,718 | 2,478.7 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 101 | 145.7 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,509 | 2,177.2 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 108 | 155.8 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Portland vs Maine Average
How does Portland's crime rate compare to the Maine state average?
| Metric | Portland | Maine Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 266.9 | 156.8 | +70.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,478.7 | 1,881.0 | +31.8% |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 4.1 | +75.4% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,745.6 | 2,037.8 | +34.7% |
Portland Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Portland, Maine.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 69,310 | 2,745.6 | 266.9 | 2,478.7 |
| 2023 | 68,390 | 1,938.9 | 228.1 | 1,710.8 |
| 2022 | 68,199 | 1,891.5 | 196.5 | 1,695.0 |
| 2021 | 66,875 | 2,041.1 | 233.3 | 1,807.9 |
| 2020 | 66,229 | 1,920.6 | 194.8 | 1,725.8 |
| 2019 | 66,458 | 2,822.8 | 242.3 | 2,580.6 |
Portland Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Portland and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: Maine crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portland, Maine safe?
Portland has a safety score of 24/100, meaning it has less crime than about 24% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,745.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Portland is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Portland, Maine?
According to FBI data for 2024, Portland has a violent crime rate of 266.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,478.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Portland compare to the national average?
Portland's total crime rate of 2,745.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 69,310 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Portland?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Portland are larceny-theft (1,509 reported incidents) and aggravated assault (116 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 9.3x in the city.
Is Portland safe to visit?
Like any city, Portland has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 24/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.