Is Los Alamos or Santa Fe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Los Alamos is safer than Santa Fe (Safety Score 93/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 459 per 100,000 versus 5,999 for Santa Fe — 92% lower. Los Alamos has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Los Alamos has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Santa Fe is 4.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Los Alamos — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Fe — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Los Alamos, NM
Santa Fe, NM
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Alamos | Santa Fe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 459.0 | 5,998.8 | -5,539.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 61.2 | 842.2 | -781.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.5 | -4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 10.2 | 64.7 | -54.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 89.2 | -89.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 45.9 | 683.8 | -637.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 397.8 | 5,156.6 | -4,758.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 35.7 | 973.8 | -938.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 300.9 | 3,380.9 | -3,080.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 61.2 | 802.0 | -740.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Alamos or Santa Fe safer?
Los Alamos is safer with a total crime rate of 459 per 100K vs 5,999 for Santa Fe — a 92% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Alamos has a violent crime rate of 61.2 per 100K while Santa Fe has 842.2. Los Alamos has lower violent crime.
About Los Alamos, NM
Nestled in the Jemez Mountains, Los Alamos, New Mexico, is a high-altitude town famous as the birthplace of the atomic bomb. This small, affluent community on the Pajarito Plateau is largely comprised of scientists and researchers. With a safety score of 93/100 and a population coverage of 19,609, Los Alamos has a total crime rate of 459.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Santa Fe, NM
Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, Santa Fe, New Mexico, is the nation's oldest capital city. Its adobe architecture and vibrant arts scene reflect a unique blend of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures, drawing a diverse, often affluent, population. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 89,652, Santa Fe has a total crime rate of 5,998.8 per 100,000 residents.