Is Dallas or Portales Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portales is safer than Dallas (Safety Score 11/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,653 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Dallas — 9% lower. Dallas has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Portales has a 75% lower rate.
Note: Dallas is 112.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dallas — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dallas, TX
Portales, NM
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dallas | Portales | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.3 | 3,652.7 | +359.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 660.5 | 781.5 | -121.1 |
| Murder Rate | 13.6 | 8.5 | +5.1 |
| Rape Rate | 35.9 | 51.0 | -15.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 168.5 | 42.5 | +126.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 440.1 | 679.6 | -239.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,351.9 | 2,871.2 | +480.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 464.1 | 1,495.1 | -1,031.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,787.3 | 1,070.3 | +717.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,100.5 | 305.8 | +794.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dallas or Portales safer?
Portales is safer with a total crime rate of 3,653 per 100K vs 4,012 for Dallas — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dallas has a violent crime rate of 660.5 per 100K while Portales has 781.5. Dallas has lower violent crime.
About Dallas, TX
Dallas, a major hub in North Texas, is known for its historic role in the oil industry and its sprawling urban landscape. The city boasts a diverse population exceeding 1.3 million within its city limits. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 1,321,500, Dallas has a total crime rate of 4,012.3 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.