Is Lewiston or Scarborough Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Scarborough is safer than Lewiston (Safety Score 69/100 vs 47/100), with a total crime rate of 1,118 per 100,000 versus 1,773 for Lewiston — 37% lower. Lewiston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Scarborough has a 100% lower rate.
Lewiston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Scarborough — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lewiston, ME
Scarborough, ME
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lewiston | Scarborough | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,773.5 | 1,118.2 | +655.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 244.5 | 62.1 | +182.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.6 | 0.0 | +2.6 |
| Rape Rate | 66.9 | 12.4 | +54.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 59.2 | 4.1 | +55.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 115.8 | 45.6 | +70.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,529.0 | 1,056.0 | +472.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 164.7 | 91.1 | +73.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,245.8 | 865.5 | +380.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 118.4 | 99.4 | +19.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewiston or Scarborough safer?
Scarborough is safer with a total crime rate of 1,118 per 100K vs 1,773 for Lewiston — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lewiston has a violent crime rate of 244.5 per 100K while Scarborough has 62.1. Scarborough 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 Scarborough, ME
Scarborough, Maine, a coastal town with a rich maritime history, is home to a growing population of over 20,000 residents. It features miles of sandy beaches and marshlands, including the popular Pine Point. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 24,147, Scarborough has a total crime rate of 1,118.2 per 100,000 residents.