Is Albuquerque or Portales Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portales is safer than Albuquerque (Safety Score 11/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,653 per 100,000 versus 5,811 for Albuquerque — 37% lower. Albuquerque has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Portales has a 73% lower rate.
Note: Albuquerque is 47.5x 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
Portales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Albuquerque, NM
Portales, NM
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Albuquerque | Portales | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,810.9 | 3,652.7 | +2,158.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,182.1 | 781.5 | +400.6 |
| Murder Rate | 18.4 | 8.5 | +9.9 |
| Rape Rate | 62.5 | 51.0 | +11.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 159.3 | 42.5 | +116.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 941.6 | 679.6 | +262.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,628.8 | 2,871.2 | +1,757.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 772.5 | 1,495.1 | -722.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,839.2 | 1,070.3 | +1,768.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,017.1 | 305.8 | +711.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albuquerque or Portales safer?
Portales is safer with a total crime rate of 3,653 per 100K vs 5,811 for Albuquerque — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Albuquerque has a violent crime rate of 1,182.1 per 100K while Portales has 781.5. Portales 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 Portales, NM
Portales, New Mexico, a Roosevelt County seat, is known for its peanut industry and as home to Eastern New Mexico University. This small city, with a population around 12,000, sits on the High Plains near the Texas border. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 11,772, Portales has a total crime rate of 3,652.7 per 100,000 residents.