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Portland, ME vs Scarborough, ME Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Portland crime rate · Scarborough crime rate

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Is Portland, ME or Scarborough, ME Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Scarborough, ME is safer than Portland, ME (Safety Score 70/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 1,118 per 100,000 versus 2,746 for Portland, ME — 59% lower. Portland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

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

Note: Portland is 2.9x 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

Scarborough — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Portland, ME

Portland, ME
Safety Score 24/100
Coverage 69,310
Total Crime Rate 2,745.6
Category Wins 0/7

Scarborough, ME

Scarborough, ME
Safety Score 70/100
Coverage 24,147
Total Crime Rate 1,118.2
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Portland Scarborough Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,745.6 1,118.2 +1,627.5
Violent Crime Rate 266.9 62.1 +204.8
Murder Rate 7.2 0.0 +7.2
Rape Rate 41.8 12.4 +29.4
Robbery Rate 50.5 4.1 +46.4
Aggravated Assault Rate 167.4 45.6 +121.8
Property Crime Rate 2,478.7 1,056.0 +1,422.7
Burglary Rate 145.7 91.1 +54.6
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,177.2 865.5 +1,311.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 155.8 99.4 +56.4

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

Moving from Portland, ME to Scarborough, 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 Scarborough safer?

Scarborough, ME is safer with a total crime rate of 1,118 per 100K vs 2,746 for Portland, ME — a 59% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Portland has a violent crime rate of 266.9 per 100K while Scarborough has 62.1. Scarborough 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 Scarborough, ME

Scarborough, Maine, a coastal town with a rich maritime history, is home to a growing population of over 20,000 residents. It features miles of sandy beaches and marshlands, including the popular Pine Point. With a safety score of 70/100 and a population coverage of 24,147, Scarborough has a total crime rate of 1,118.2 per 100,000 residents.

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