Violent
Property
Total
Las Cruces, NM Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 115,977
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Las Cruces, New Mexico Safe?
Las Cruces has a safety score of 1/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 5,594.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Las Cruces ranks #12 out of 14 cities in New Mexico and #2896 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 Las Cruces is burglary, at 737.2 per 100K — 2.6x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.6x the national rate.
Year over year, Las Cruces's total crime rate decreased by 6.5%, with violent crime rising 24.5%.
Las Cruces Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 836 | 720.8 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 14 | 12.1 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 67 | 57.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 67 | 57.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 687 | 592.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 5,652 | 4,873.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 855 | 737.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 3,993 | 3,442.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 804 | 693.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Las Cruces vs New Mexico Average
How does Las Cruces's crime rate compare to the New Mexico state average?
| Metric | Las Cruces | New Mexico Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 720.8 | 968.4 | -25.6% |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,873.4 | 4,110.2 | +18.6% |
| Murder Rate | 12.1 | 14.0 | -13.5% |
| Total Crime Rate | 5,594.2 | 5,078.6 | +10.2% |
Las Cruces Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Las Cruces, New Mexico.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 115,977 | 5,594.2 | 720.8 | 4,873.4 |
| 2023 | 114,999 | 5,980.9 | 579.1 | 5,401.8 |
| 2022 | 114,102 | 5,970.1 | 620.5 | 5,349.6 |
| 2021 | 105,805 | 5,355.1 | 602.1 | 4,753.1 |
| 2020 | 104,022 | 4,530.8 | 531.6 | 3,999.2 |
| 2019 | 103,520 | 4,078.4 | 497.5 | 3,581.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Cruces, New Mexico safe?
Las Cruces has a safety score of 1/100. With a total crime rate of 5,594.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Las Cruces is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Las Cruces, New Mexico?
According to FBI data for 2024, Las Cruces has a violent crime rate of 720.8 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 4,873.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Las Cruces compare to the national average?
Las Cruces's total crime rate of 5,594.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 115,977.
What types of crime are most common in Las Cruces?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Las Cruces include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Las Cruces safe to visit?
Like any city, Las Cruces has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 1/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.