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South Portland vs Wells Crime Comparison

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

Full report: South Portland crime rate · Wells crime rate

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Is South Portland or Wells Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Wells is safer than South Portland (Safety Score 82/100 vs 59/100), with a total crime rate of 807 per 100,000 versus 1,433 for South Portland — 44% lower. South Portland has higher rates in 1 of 6 crime categories.

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

Note: South Portland is 2.2x 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 South Portland, ME?

South Portland — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Wells — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

South Portland, ME

South Portland, ME
Safety Score 59/100
Coverage 26,931
Total Crime Rate 1,433.3
Category Wins 1/6

Wells, ME

Wells, ME
Safety Score 82/100
Coverage 12,027
Total Crime Rate 806.5
Category Wins 5/6

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type South Portland Wells Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,433.3 806.5 +626.8
Violent Crime Rate 63.1 83.2 -20.0
Murder Rate 0.0 0.0 +0.0
Rape Rate 7.4 33.3 -25.8
Robbery Rate 18.6 0.0 +18.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 37.1 49.9 -12.8
Property Crime Rate 1,370.2 723.4 +646.8
Burglary Rate 81.7 33.3 +48.4
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,173.4 631.9 +541.5
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 115.1 58.2 +56.9

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

Moving from South 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 South Portland or Wells safer?

Wells is safer with a total crime rate of 807 per 100K vs 1,433 for South Portland — a 44% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

South Portland has a violent crime rate of 63.1 per 100K while Wells has 83.2. South Portland has lower violent crime.

About South Portland, ME

South Portland, Maine, a coastal city across the harbor from Portland, is home to Bug Light Park, a popular spot for its picturesque lighthouse. Its population of over 26,000 residents reflects a mix of residential areas and commercial districts. With a safety score of 59/100 and a population coverage of 26,931, South Portland has a total crime rate of 1,433.3 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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