Is Lewiston or Sanford Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lewiston is safer than Sanford (Safety Score 47/100 vs 23/100), with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100,000 versus 2,784 for Sanford — 36% lower. Lewiston has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sanford has a 100% lower rate.
Lewiston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sanford — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lewiston, ME
Sanford, ME
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lewiston | Sanford | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,773.5 | 2,783.6 | -1,010.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 244.5 | 156.6 | +87.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.6 | 0.0 | +2.6 |
| Rape Rate | 66.9 | 80.6 | -13.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 59.2 | 4.5 | +54.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 115.8 | 71.6 | +44.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,529.0 | 2,627.0 | -1,098.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 164.7 | 152.2 | +12.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,245.8 | 2,349.5 | -1,103.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 118.4 | 125.3 | -6.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewiston or Sanford safer?
Lewiston is safer with a total crime rate of 1,773 per 100K vs 2,784 for Sanford — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lewiston has a violent crime rate of 244.5 per 100K while Sanford has 156.6. Sanford 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 Sanford, ME
Sanford, Maine, a former mill town known for its textile industry, is located in York County. Its population is around 22,000, with a significant number of residents working in local manufacturing and service industries. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 22,345, Sanford has a total crime rate of 2,783.6 per 100,000 residents.