Is Las Vegas Metro or Portales Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Las Vegas Metro is safer than Portales (Safety Score 19/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,053 per 100,000 versus 3,653 for Portales — 16% lower. Las Vegas Metro has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Las Vegas Metro has a 45% lower rate.
Note: Las Vegas Metro is 145.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Las Vegas Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Las Vegas Metro, NV
Portales, NM
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Las Vegas Metro | Portales | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,052.7 | 3,652.7 | -600.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 430.0 | 781.5 | -351.5 |
| Murder Rate | 6.2 | 8.5 | -2.3 |
| Rape Rate | 51.6 | 51.0 | +0.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.8 | 42.5 | +22.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 307.2 | 679.6 | -372.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,622.7 | 2,871.2 | -248.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 461.5 | 1,495.1 | -1,033.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,564.5 | 1,070.3 | +494.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 596.7 | 305.8 | +290.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Vegas Metro or Portales safer?
Las Vegas Metro is safer with a total crime rate of 3,053 per 100K vs 3,653 for Portales — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Las Vegas Metro has a violent crime rate of 430.0 per 100K while Portales has 781.5. Las Vegas Metro has lower violent crime.
About Las Vegas Metro, NV
Las Vegas Metro encompasses the vibrant Entertainment Capital of the World, a city that sprung from a railroad stop in the Mojave Desert. Its population of over 2.3 million is a diverse mix, drawn to its unique blend of resort tourism and burgeoning tech industries. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 1,716,565, Las Vegas Metro has a total crime rate of 3,052.7 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.