Is Cranston or Portsmouth Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portsmouth is safer than Cranston (Safety Score 96/100 vs 68/100), with a total crime rate of 358 per 100,000 versus 1,145 for Cranston — 69% lower. Cranston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portsmouth has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Cranston is 4.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cranston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portsmouth — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cranston, RI
Portsmouth, RI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cranston | Portsmouth | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,145.4 | 358.4 | +787.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 93.1 | 11.4 | +81.7 |
| Murder Rate | 1.2 | 0.0 | +1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 20.3 | 5.7 | +14.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.5 | 0.0 | +15.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 56.1 | 5.7 | +50.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,052.3 | 347.0 | +705.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 82.3 | 39.8 | +42.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 875.7 | 284.4 | +591.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 94.3 | 22.8 | +71.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cranston or Portsmouth safer?
Portsmouth is safer with a total crime rate of 358 per 100K vs 1,145 for Cranston — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cranston has a violent crime rate of 93.1 per 100K while Portsmouth has 11.4. Portsmouth has lower violent crime.
About Cranston, RI
Cranston, Rhode Island, a city with a rich manufacturing past, is home to the historic Sprague Mansion. Situated southwest of Providence, it is the second-largest city in the state by population. With a safety score of 68/100 and a population coverage of 83,815, Cranston has a total crime rate of 1,145.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Portsmouth, RI
Portsmouth, RI, a coastal town on Aquidneck Island, was settled in 1638 by religious dissidents. Its scenic waters are home to numerous sailing events and a significant portion of its residents commute to nearby cities. With a safety score of 96/100 and a population coverage of 17,579, Portsmouth has a total crime rate of 358.4 per 100,000 residents.