| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Las Cruces/100k people | New Mexico/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 6,487 | n/a (estimate) | 5,593 | 3,468 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 14 | n/a | 12.1 | 10.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 67 | n/a | 57.8 | 53.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 67 | n/a | 57.8 | 65.3 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 687 | n/a | 592.4 | 587.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 835 | n/a (estimate) | 720 | 717 | 359 |
| Burglary | 855 | n/a | 737.2 | 500.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 3,993 | n/a | 3,442.9 | 1,750.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 804 | n/a | 693.2 | 499.9 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 5,652 | n/a (estimate) | 4,873 | 2,751 | 1,760 |
The Las Cruces crime rates are 163.9% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 835 violent crimes in Las Cruces (720 per 100,000 people), which is 100.5% higher than the national average and there were a total of 5652 property crimes (4873 per 100,000 residents) which is 176.9% higher than average.
In Las Cruces, the crime rate stands at 5593 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 163.94%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Las Cruces that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
With a violent crime rate of 720 crimes per 100,000 residents, Las Cruces is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Las Cruces ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 139 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.
While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Las Cruces stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Las Cruces, a total of 14 murders were reported, equating to 12 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.
Las Cruces has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 4873 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Las Cruces is 1 in 21, which is far higher than the national average.
The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Las Cruces is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Las Cruces reported a total of 804 vehicle thefts, resulting in 693 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 145, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
What is the prevailing sentiment among Las Cruces residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 139 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 42% of Las Cruces residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 58% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.
Is Las Cruces a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Las Cruces has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 164%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 17.77 daily incidents, encompassing 2.29 violent crimes and 15.48 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Las Cruces as a potential place to call home.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Las Cruces. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Las Cruces has increased by 53.7%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 62.5%, while property crime has increased by 52.5%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Las Cruces.
The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Las Cruces, 82.5% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Las Cruces, the cost of living is 8.23% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
In Las Cruces, the median home price stands at $285,829, diverging from the national average of $326,622. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.
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 | Las Cruces | New Mexico | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 266 | 3,705 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.7 | 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 |
| San Ysidro, NM | 2,596 | 112 | 432 | 544 |
| Fairacres, NM | 1,244 | 168 | 644 | 811 |
| Mesilla, NM | 2,325 | 182 | 696 | 878 |
| San Pablo, NM | 1,045 | 215 | 827 | 1,042 |
| Radium Springs, NM | 1,520 | 304 | 1,167 | 1,471 |
| Vado, NM | 3,288 | 477 | 1,830 | 2,306 |
| Mesquite, NM | 921 | 854 | 3,277 | 4,131 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 106,024 | 720 | 4,873 | 5,593 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| San Mateo, CA | 106,097 | 243 | 1,883 | 2,127 |
| Rialto, CA | 106,524 | 642 | 2,395 | 3,037 |
| El Cajon, CA | 105,484 | 434 | 1,500 | 1,935 |
| Burbank, CA | 106,568 | 391 | 3,072 | 3,462 |
| Davenport, IA | 105,320 | 581 | 3,541 | 4,122 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 106,024 | 720 | 4,873 | 5,593 |
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