Is Las Cruces or Los Alamos Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Alamos is safer than Las Cruces (Safety Score 93/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 459 per 100,000 versus 5,594 for Las Cruces — 92% lower. Las Cruces has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Los Alamos has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Las Cruces is 5.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Las Cruces — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Alamos — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Las Cruces, NM
Los Alamos, NM
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Las Cruces | Los Alamos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,594.2 | 459.0 | +5,135.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 720.8 | 61.2 | +659.6 |
| Murder Rate | 12.1 | 0.0 | +12.1 |
| Rape Rate | 57.8 | 10.2 | +47.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 57.8 | 0.0 | +57.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 592.4 | 45.9 | +546.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,873.4 | 397.8 | +4,475.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 737.2 | 35.7 | +701.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,442.9 | 300.9 | +3,142.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 693.2 | 61.2 | +632.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Cruces or Los Alamos safer?
Los Alamos is safer with a total crime rate of 459 per 100K vs 5,594 for Las Cruces — a 92% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Las Cruces has a violent crime rate of 720.8 per 100K while Los Alamos has 61.2. Los Alamos has lower violent crime.
About Las Cruces, NM
Nestled in the Chihuahuan Desert, Las Cruces is New Mexico's second-largest city, known for its vibrant Hatch chile industry. Home to New Mexico State University, it boasts a diverse population and a rich history influenced by Spanish and Mexican cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 115,977, Las Cruces has a total crime rate of 5,594.2 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.