Moving from Portland, ME to Waterville, 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.
Is Portland, ME or Waterville, ME Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Portland, ME is safer than Waterville, ME (Safety Score 24/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,746 per 100,000 versus 3,166 for Waterville, ME — 13% lower. Portland has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portland has a 59% lower rate.
Note: Portland is 4.1x 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
Violent
Property
Total
Waterville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portland, ME
Waterville, ME
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Portland | Waterville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,745.6 | 3,166.0 | -420.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 266.9 | 142.3 | +124.6 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 17.8 | -10.6 |
| Rape Rate | 41.8 | 77.1 | -35.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.5 | 23.7 | +26.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 167.4 | 23.7 | +143.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,478.7 | 3,023.7 | -544.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 145.7 | 59.3 | +86.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,177.2 | 2,810.2 | -633.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 155.8 | 154.2 | +1.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Portland, ME to Waterville, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portland or Waterville safer?
Portland, ME is safer with a total crime rate of 2,746 per 100K vs 3,166 for Waterville, ME — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Portland has a violent crime rate of 266.9 per 100K while Waterville has 142.3. Waterville 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 Waterville, ME
Waterville, a Kennebec River city, was a major mill town. Colby College, a liberal arts institution, is located here. Its population is around 16,000. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 16,867, Waterville has a total crime rate of 3,166.0 per 100,000 residents.