Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Laurel, MD has a Safety Score of 3/100 — higher crime than 97% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 5,255.2 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,878 of 2,971 US cities and #20 of 22 in Maryland.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Laurel, Maryland Safe?
Laurel, Maryland, a diverse city in Prince George's County, sits along the Patuxent River. Historically, it was a mill town, with industries like textiles and paper flourishing in the 19th century. Today, it's a bustling suburban hub with a significant commuter population.
Laurel has a safety score of 3/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 5,255.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Laurel ranks #20 out of 22 cities in Maryland and #2878 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 3rd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 97% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Laurel is motor vehicle theft, at 910.7 per 100K — 2.6x the national average. Conversely, rape is relatively low at just 0.6x the national rate.
Year over year, Laurel's total crime rate increased by 2.9%, with violent crime declining 41.1%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Laurel Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 115 | 393.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 6.9 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 7 | 24.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 38 | 130.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 68 | 232.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,420 | 4,861.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 58 | 198.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,096 | 3,752.3 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 266 | 910.7 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Laurel vs Maryland Average
How does Laurel's crime rate compare to the Maryland state average?
| Metric | Laurel | Maryland Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 393.7 | 985.4 | -60.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,861.5 | 3,177.6 | +53.0% |
| Murder Rate | 6.9 | 18.2 | -62.3% |
| Total Crime Rate | 5,255.2 | 4,163.0 | +26.2% |
Laurel Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Laurel, Maryland.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 29,209 | 5,255.2 | 393.7 | 4,861.5 |
| 2023 | 29,044 | 5,109.5 | 668.0 | 4,441.5 |
| 2022 | 29,028 | 3,710.2 | 385.8 | 3,324.4 |
| 2020 | 25,704 | 3,174.6 | 412.4 | 2,762.2 |
| 2019 | 25,814 | 3,912.6 | 476.5 | 3,436.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laurel, Maryland safe?
Laurel has a safety score of 3/100, meaning it has less crime than about 3% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 5,255.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Laurel is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Laurel, Maryland?
According to FBI data for 2024, Laurel has a violent crime rate of 393.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 4,861.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does Laurel compare to the national average?
Laurel's total crime rate of 5,255.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 29,209 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Laurel?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Laurel include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Laurel safe to visit?
Like any city, Laurel has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 3/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.