Is Lewiston or Wells Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wells is safer than Lewiston (Safety Score 81/100 vs 47/100), with a total crime rate of 807 per 100,000 versus 1,773 for Lewiston — 55% lower. Lewiston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wells has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Lewiston is 3.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lewiston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wells — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lewiston, ME
Wells, ME
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lewiston | Wells | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,773.5 | 806.5 | +967.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 244.5 | 83.2 | +161.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.6 | 0.0 | +2.6 |
| Rape Rate | 66.9 | 33.3 | +33.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 59.2 | 0.0 | +59.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 115.8 | 49.9 | +65.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,529.0 | 723.4 | +805.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 164.7 | 33.3 | +131.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,245.8 | 631.9 | +613.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 118.4 | 58.2 | +60.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewiston or Wells safer?
Wells is safer with a total crime rate of 807 per 100K vs 1,773 for Lewiston — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lewiston has a violent crime rate of 244.5 per 100K while Wells has 83.2. Wells 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 Wells, ME
Wells, Maine, a coastal town incorporated in 1653, boasts miles of sandy beaches and a significant seasonal population increase. Its economy relies heavily on tourism and fishing. With a safety score of 81/100 and a population coverage of 12,027, Wells has a total crime rate of 806.5 per 100,000 residents.