| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Albuquerque/100k people | New Mexico/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 32,466 | n/a (estimate) | 5,811 | 3,468 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 103 | n/a | 18.4 | 10.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 349 | n/a | 62.5 | 53.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 890 | n/a | 159.3 | 65.3 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 5,261 | n/a | 941.6 | 587.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 6,603 | n/a (estimate) | 1,182 | 717 | 359 |
| Burglary | 4,316 | n/a | 772.4 | 500.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 15,864 | n/a | 2,839.2 | 1,750.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 5,683 | n/a | 1,017.1 | 499.9 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 25,863 | n/a (estimate) | 4,629 | 2,751 | 1,760 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Albuquerque is 174.2% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 6603 violent crimes reported in Albuquerque, equivalent to 1182 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 229.1%. Additionally, Albuquerque recorded 25863 property crimes, amounting to 4629 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 163%.
With a total of 5811 crimes per 100,000 people, the Albuquerque crime rates stand at 174.19 higher than the national average. Consequently, the area grapples with one of the nation's highest total crime rates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for enhancing the safety and livability in Albuquerque, making it a priority to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative efforts to secure a better future for residents and prospective residents.
Albuquerque ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 1182 per 100,000 people, Albuquerque is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 85 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Albuquerque, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Albuquerque stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Albuquerque, there were a total of 103 murders, translating to 18 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
Albuquerque reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 4629 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 22 chance of falling victim to property crime in Albuquerque, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Albuquerque faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 5683 vehicle thefts, translating to 1017 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Albuquerque in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 99.
What do the local residents think about crime in Albuquerque? Well, based on a recent survey of 528 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 15% of Albuquerque residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 85% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Albuquerque, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Albuquerque presents a total crime rate that is 174% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Albuquerque experiences an average of 88.95 daily crimes, comprising 18.09 violent incidents and 70.86 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Albuquerque has increased by 0.3%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Albuquerque, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 15.7%, while property crime has increased by 5.3%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Albuquerque is a safe place to live.
There are more than 197 different neighborhoods in the Albuquerque area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in Albuquerque include Tijeras Arroyo, Heritage Hills and Desert Spring Flower. While Jackson Area, La Mesa and Elder Homestead have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.
In Albuquerque, the current unemployment rate stands at 3.7%, diverging from the national average of 4.9%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Albuquerque crime rates.
High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Albuquerque, the cost of living is 1.77% higher than the national average.
In Albuquerque, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 2.55 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Albuquerque | New Mexico | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 1,413 | 3,705 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.6 | 4.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | New Mexico /100K | National /100K |
| New Mexico | 3,129 | 155 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Corrales, NM | 8,837 | 231 | 393 | 624 |
| Sandia Heights, NM | 3,213 | 137 | 524 | 661 |
| Carnuel, NM | 1,062 | 145 | 557 | 702 |
| Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM | 6,300 | 233 | 895 | 1,128 |
| San Antonito, NM | 857 | 290 | 1,111 | 1,401 |
| Cedar Crest, NM | 916 | 290 | 1,111 | 1,401 |
| Cedro, NM | 633 | 290 | 1,111 | 1,401 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 579,406 | 1,182 | 4,629 | 5,811 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Tucson, AZ | 564,632 | 589 | 3,313 | 3,902 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 605,531 | 1,431 | 2,701 | 4,132 |
| Fresno, CA | 543,090 | 735 | 3,271 | 4,007 |
| Baltimore, MD | 621,744 | 1,606 | 4,157 | 5,763 |
| Mesa, AZ | 521,218 | 483 | 1,465 | 1,947 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 579,406 | 1,182 | 4,629 | 5,811 |
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