Moving from Portales, NM to Roswell, NM?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is Portales or Roswell Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Roswell is safer than Portales (Safety Score 15/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,359 per 100,000 versus 3,653 for Portales — 8% lower. Portales has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portales has a 34% lower rate.
Note: Roswell is 4.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Portales, NM?
Portales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Roswell — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portales, NM
Roswell, NM
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Portales | Roswell | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,652.7 | 3,359.3 | +293.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 781.5 | 850.5 | -69.0 |
| Murder Rate | 8.5 | 12.9 | -4.4 |
| Rape Rate | 51.0 | 81.4 | -30.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 42.5 | 42.9 | -0.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 679.6 | 711.3 | -31.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,871.2 | 2,508.7 | +362.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 1,495.1 | 428.5 | +1,066.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,070.3 | 1,883.2 | -812.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 305.8 | 197.1 | +108.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Portales, NM to Roswell, NM?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portales or Roswell safer?
Roswell is safer with a total crime rate of 3,359 per 100K vs 3,653 for Portales — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Portales has a violent crime rate of 781.5 per 100K while Roswell has 850.5. Portales has lower violent crime.
About Portales, NM
Portales, New Mexico, a Roosevelt County seat, is known for its peanut industry and as home to Eastern New Mexico University. This small city, with a population around 12,000, sits on the High Plains near the Texas border. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 11,772, Portales has a total crime rate of 3,652.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Roswell, NM
Roswell, a city in southeastern New Mexico, is globally known for the alleged 1947 UFO incident. Its desert climate and relatively remote location contribute to a close-knit community of around 48,000 residents. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 46,677, Roswell has a total crime rate of 3,359.3 per 100,000 residents.