Is Albuquerque or Denver Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Denver is safer than Albuquerque (Safety Score 2/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 5,755 per 100,000 versus 5,811 for Albuquerque — 1% lower. Albuquerque has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Denver has a 47% lower rate.
Albuquerque — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Denver — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Albuquerque, NM
Denver, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Albuquerque | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,810.9 | 5,754.7 | +56.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,182.1 | 993.2 | +188.9 |
| Murder Rate | 18.4 | 9.8 | +8.6 |
| Rape Rate | 62.5 | 93.6 | -31.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 159.3 | 176.2 | -16.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 941.6 | 713.4 | +228.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,628.8 | 4,761.6 | -132.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 772.5 | 708.0 | +64.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,839.2 | 2,821.6 | +17.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,017.1 | 1,231.9 | -214.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albuquerque or Denver safer?
Denver is safer with a total crime rate of 5,755 per 100K vs 5,811 for Albuquerque — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Albuquerque has a violent crime rate of 1,182.1 per 100K while Denver has 993.2. Denver has lower violent crime.
About Albuquerque, NM
Nestled in the Rio Grande Valley, Albuquerque is New Mexico's largest city, known for its vibrant Hispanic culture and the annual International Balloon Fiesta. Its high desert elevation provides stunning mountain views and a unique southwestern character. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 558,745, Albuquerque has a total crime rate of 5,810.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Denver, CO
Denver, the "Mile High City," sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains, a hub of Western expansion since its 1858 founding during the Gold Rush. This rapidly growing city is home to a diverse population of over 700,000 residents. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 722,031, Denver has a total crime rate of 5,754.7 per 100,000 residents.