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Portland, ME vs Wells, ME Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Portland crime rate · Wells crime rate

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Is Portland, ME or Wells, ME Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Wells, ME is safer than Portland, ME (Safety Score 82/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 807 per 100,000 versus 2,746 for Portland, ME — 71% lower. Portland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

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

Note: Portland is 5.8x 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 Portland, ME?

Portland — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Flat Property Flat Total

Wells — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Portland, ME

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

Wells, ME

Wells, ME
Safety Score 82/100
Coverage 12,027
Total Crime Rate 806.5
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Portland Wells Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,745.6 806.5 +1,939.1
Violent Crime Rate 266.9 83.2 +183.8
Murder Rate 7.2 0.0 +7.2
Rape Rate 41.8 33.3 +8.6
Robbery Rate 50.5 0.0 +50.5
Aggravated Assault Rate 167.4 49.9 +117.5
Property Crime Rate 2,478.7 723.4 +1,755.4
Burglary Rate 145.7 33.3 +112.5
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,177.2 631.9 +1,545.3
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 155.8 58.2 +97.6

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

Moving from Portland, ME to Wells, 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 Wells safer?

Wells, ME is safer with a total crime rate of 807 per 100K vs 2,746 for Portland, ME — a 71% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Portland has a violent crime rate of 266.9 per 100K while Wells has 83.2. Wells 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 Wells, ME

Wells, Maine, a coastal town incorporated in 1653, boasts miles of sandy beaches and a significant seasonal population increase. Its economy relies heavily on tourism and fishing. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 12,027, Wells has a total crime rate of 806.5 per 100,000 residents.

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