Is Albuquerque or Los Alamos Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Alamos is safer than Albuquerque (Safety Score 93/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 459 per 100,000 versus 5,811 for Albuquerque — 92% lower. Albuquerque has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Los Alamos has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Albuquerque is 28.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Albuquerque — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Alamos — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Albuquerque, NM
Los Alamos, NM
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Albuquerque | Los Alamos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,810.9 | 459.0 | +5,351.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,182.1 | 61.2 | +1,120.9 |
| Murder Rate | 18.4 | 0.0 | +18.4 |
| Rape Rate | 62.5 | 10.2 | +52.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 159.3 | 0.0 | +159.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 941.6 | 45.9 | +895.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,628.8 | 397.8 | +4,231.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 772.5 | 35.7 | +736.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,839.2 | 300.9 | +2,538.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,017.1 | 61.2 | +955.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albuquerque or Los Alamos safer?
Los Alamos is safer with a total crime rate of 459 per 100K vs 5,811 for Albuquerque — a 92% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Albuquerque has a violent crime rate of 1,182.1 per 100K while Los Alamos has 61.2. Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos, NM
Nestled in the Jemez Mountains, Los Alamos, New Mexico, is a high-altitude town famous as the birthplace of the atomic bomb. This small, affluent community on the Pajarito Plateau is largely comprised of scientists and researchers. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 19,609, Los Alamos has a total crime rate of 459.0 per 100,000 residents.