Is Lewiston or Saco Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Saco is safer than Lewiston (Safety Score 68/100 vs 47/100), with a total crime rate of 1,159 per 100,000 versus 1,773 for Lewiston — 35% lower. Lewiston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Saco has a 100% lower rate.
Lewiston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Saco — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lewiston, ME
Saco, ME
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lewiston | Saco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,773.5 | 1,158.7 | +614.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 244.5 | 80.4 | +164.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.6 | 0.0 | +2.6 |
| Rape Rate | 66.9 | 37.8 | +29.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 59.2 | 0.0 | +59.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 115.8 | 42.6 | +73.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,529.0 | 1,078.3 | +450.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 164.7 | 85.1 | +79.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,245.8 | 893.9 | +352.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 118.4 | 99.3 | +19.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewiston or Saco safer?
Saco is safer with a total crime rate of 1,159 per 100K vs 1,773 for Lewiston — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lewiston has a violent crime rate of 244.5 per 100K while Saco has 80.4. Saco has lower violent crime.
About Lewiston, ME
Lewiston, Maine, a former mill town on the Androscoggin River, is known for its Franco-American heritage and the Bates College campus. It's Maine's second-largest city by population. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 38,850, Lewiston has a total crime rate of 1,773.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Saco, ME
Saco, Maine, a small city in York County, sits on the Saco River across from Biddeford. Known for its historic textile mills, the area experiences a significant tourist influx during summer months, drawn to attractions like Funtown Splashtown USA. With a safety score of 68/100 and a population coverage of 21,144, Saco has a total crime rate of 1,158.7 per 100,000 residents.