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Moving to Roswell, NM?
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Roswell, NM has a Safety Score of 15/100 — higher crime than 85% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,359.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,523 of 2,957 US cities and #6 of 14 in New Mexico.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Roswell, NM?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Roswell, New Mexico Safe?
Roswell, a city in southeastern New Mexico, is globally known for the alleged 1947 UFO incident. Its desert climate and relatively remote location contribute to a close-knit community of around 48,000 residents.
Roswell has a safety score of 15/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,359.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Roswell ranks #6 out of 14 cities in New Mexico and #2523 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 15th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 85% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Roswell is aggravated assault, at 711.3 per 100K — 2.1x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.5x the national rate.
Year over year, Roswell's total crime rate decreased by 11.4%, with violent crime declining 7.3%.
Burglary in Roswell runs 1.5x the national average. Basic measures help — exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points — but if you rent, your landlord's policy covers the building, not your belongings. Renters insurance typically covers personal property lost to theft or a break-in; you can see a renters insurance quote online in a few minutes.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Roswell Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 397 | 850.5 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 6 | 12.9 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 38 | 81.4 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 20 | 42.9 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 332 | 711.3 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 1,171 | 2,508.7 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 200 | 428.5 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 879 | 1,883.2 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 92 | 197.1 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Roswell vs New Mexico Average
How does Roswell's crime rate compare to the New Mexico state average?
| Metric | Roswell | New Mexico Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 850.5 | 968.4 | -12.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,508.7 | 4,110.2 | -39.0% |
| Murder Rate | 12.9 | 14.0 | -7.9% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,359.3 | 5,078.6 | -33.9% |
Roswell Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Roswell, New Mexico.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 46,677 | 3,359.3 | 850.5 | 2,508.7 |
| 2023 | 46,881 | 3,792.6 | 917.2 | 2,875.4 |
| 2022 | 47,625 | 3,888.7 | 894.5 | 2,994.2 |
| 2021 | 47,510 | 3,342.5 | 997.7 | 2,344.8 |
| 2020 | 47,451 | 3,970.4 | 855.6 | 3,114.8 |
| 2019 | 47,533 | 4,622.1 | 849.9 | 3,772.1 |
Roswell Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Roswell and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: New Mexico crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roswell, New Mexico safe?
Roswell has a safety score of 15/100, meaning it has less crime than about 15% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,359.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Roswell is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Roswell, New Mexico?
According to FBI data for 2024, Roswell has a violent crime rate of 850.5 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,508.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Roswell compare to the national average?
Roswell's total crime rate of 3,359.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 46,677 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Roswell?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Roswell are larceny-theft (879 reported incidents) and aggravated assault (332 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 2.9x in the city.
Is Roswell safe to visit?
Like any city, Roswell has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 15/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.
How can I protect my home in Roswell?
Start with the fundamentals: exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points, and knowing your neighbors. If you rent, make sure your belongings are insured — a landlord's policy covers the building, not your things. You can see a renters insurance quote online.