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Portland, ME vs Sanford, ME Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Portland crime rate · Sanford crime rate

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Is Portland, ME or Sanford, ME Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Portland, ME is safer than Sanford, ME (Safety Score 24/100 vs 23/100), with a total crime rate of 2,746 per 100,000 versus 2,784 for Sanford, ME — 1% lower. Portland has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Sanford has a 100% lower rate.

Note: Portland is 3.1x 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 SAFER than Portland, ME?

Portland — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Flat Property Flat Total

Sanford — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Flat Property Flat Total

Portland, ME

Portland, ME
Safety Score 24/100
Coverage 69,310
Total Crime Rate 2,745.6
Category Wins 3/7

Sanford, ME

Sanford, ME
Safety Score 23/100
Coverage 22,345
Total Crime Rate 2,783.6
Category Wins 4/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Portland Sanford Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,745.6 2,783.6 -38.0
Violent Crime Rate 266.9 156.6 +110.3
Murder Rate 7.2 0.0 +7.2
Rape Rate 41.8 80.6 -38.7
Robbery Rate 50.5 4.5 +46.0
Aggravated Assault Rate 167.4 71.6 +95.8
Property Crime Rate 2,478.7 2,627.0 -148.3
Burglary Rate 145.7 152.2 -6.4
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,177.2 2,349.5 -172.3
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 155.8 125.3 +30.5

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Portland, ME to Sanford, ME?

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Portland or Sanford safer?

Portland, ME is safer with a total crime rate of 2,746 per 100K vs 2,784 for Sanford, ME — a 1% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Portland has a violent crime rate of 266.9 per 100K while Sanford has 156.6. Sanford has lower violent crime.

About Portland, ME

Portland, Maine, a coastal city with a deep maritime history, is the most populous city in the state. Its working waterfront and vibrant arts scene reflect its heritage and modern demographic mix. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 69,310, Portland has a total crime rate of 2,745.6 per 100,000 residents.

About Sanford, ME

Sanford, Maine, a former mill town known for its textile industry, is located in York County. Its population is around 22,000, with a significant number of residents working in local manufacturing and service industries. With a safety score of 23/100 and a population coverage of 22,345, Sanford has a total crime rate of 2,783.6 per 100,000 residents.

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