Is Portales or Santa Fe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portales is safer than Santa Fe (Safety Score 11/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 3,653 per 100,000 versus 5,999 for Santa Fe — 39% lower. Portales has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Portales has a 52% lower rate.
Note: Santa Fe is 7.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Portales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Fe — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portales, NM
Santa Fe, NM
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Portales | Santa Fe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,652.7 | 5,998.8 | -2,346.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 781.5 | 842.2 | -60.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.5 | 4.5 | +4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 51.0 | 64.7 | -13.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 42.5 | 89.2 | -46.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 679.6 | 683.8 | -4.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,871.2 | 5,156.6 | -2,285.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 1,495.1 | 973.8 | +521.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,070.3 | 3,380.9 | -2,310.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 305.8 | 802.0 | -496.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portales or Santa Fe safer?
Portales is safer with a total crime rate of 3,653 per 100K vs 5,999 for Santa Fe — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Portales has a violent crime rate of 781.5 per 100K while Santa Fe has 842.2. 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 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.