Safest cities in New Mexico

Known as the 'Land of Enchantment,' New Mexico is celebrated for its stunning desert landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant arts scene. Located in the southwestern United States, New Mexico boasts a diverse geography that includes the Rocky Mountains, vast deserts, and fertile valleys. The state's economy is driven by industries such as energy, tourism, and agriculture. Santa Fe, the state capital, is known for its historic adobe architecture, thriving arts community, and unique cultural blend of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo influences. New Mexico is also home to numerous national parks and monuments, offering a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities and natural beauty.

Low crime rates are essential for enhancing the livability of communities in New Mexico, making the safest cities highly desirable places to live. Safety provides a foundation for economic stability and community well-being, allowing residents to feel secure in their daily lives. Factors that contribute to the safety of New Mexico's cities include community policing, neighborhood watch programs, and active citizen participation. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a reliable measure of security. This emphasis on safety ensures that residents can enjoy the many amenities and natural attractions New Mexico has to offer without the overshadowing concern of crime.

Corrales Population: 8,636 494 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 118 Property Crime / 100k: 377 chance of being a victim: 1 in 202
Corrales proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in New Mexico. With only 494 crimes per 100,000 people, Corrales has a crime rate that is 92% lower than the New Mexico average. This equates to an average of 0.12 crimes per day and a 1 in 202 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.
Anthony Population: 9,283 674 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 209 Property Crime / 100k: 465 chance of being a victim: 1 in 148
Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Anthony comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in New Mexico with a crime rate of 674 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 198 counts of burglary, 163 counts of theft, 105 counts of vehicle theft, 139 counts of assault, 23 counts of robbery, 35 counts of rape and 12 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Anthony, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.
Sunland Park Population: 17,581 1,162 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 412 Property Crime / 100k: 750 chance of being a victim: 1 in 86
With a population of 17,581 and a total crime rate of 1,162 per 100,000 residents, Sunland Park is the 3rd safest city in New Mexico. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 82% lower than the New Mexico average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.
Raton Population: 6,020 1,514 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 286 Property Crime / 100k: 1,228 chance of being a victim: 1 in 66
With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Raton is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 1,514, 94% lower than the New Mexico average. This amounts to 0.25 crimes per day and a 1 in 66 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Raton a highly desirable and safe place to call home.
Aztec Population: 6,467 1,855 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 722 Property Crime / 100k: 1,132 chance of being a victim: 1 in 54
Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Aztec consistently ranks high in safety. In Aztec, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 1,855, which is 94% lower than the state average.
Rio Rancho Population: 97,976 1,902 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 412 Property Crime / 100k: 1,490 chance of being a victim: 1 in 53
Rio Rancho has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in New Mexico. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 1,902 crimes per 100,000 people, 10% higher than the New Mexico average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 182 reports of burglary, 1,147 reports of theft, 161 reports of vehicle theft, 361 reports of assault, 12 reports of robbery, 37 reports of rape and 2 reports of homicide.
Edgewood Population: 6,113 1,922 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 427 Property Crime / 100k: 1,495 chance of being a victim: 1 in 52
Edgewood ranks as the seventh safest city in New Mexico and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 52 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.32 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Edgewood’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in New Mexico.
Bloomfield Population: 7,791 2,136 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 630 Property Crime / 100k: 1,506 chance of being a victim: 1 in 47
Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Bloomfield is the 8th safest city in New Mexico. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 93% lower than the New Mexico average, reporting a total of 2,136 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.
Truth or Consequences Population: 5,839 2,439 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 723 Property Crime / 100k: 1,716 chance of being a victim: 1 in 41
Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Truth or Consequences is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in New Mexico, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 2,439 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 94% lower than the state average.
Clovis Population: 38,701 2,835 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 553 Property Crime / 100k: 2,282 chance of being a victim: 1 in 35
Completing the list as the 10th safest city in New Mexico, is Clovis. With a low rate of crime that included 721 burglaries, 1,340 thefts, 221 vehicle thefts, 468 assaults, 19 robberies, 59 rapes and 8 homicides, the overall crime rate was 62% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in New Mexico

Rank Location Population Violent Crimes /100k Property Crimes /100k Total Crimes /100k 
1 Corrales 8,636 118 377 494
2 Anthony 9,283 209 465 674
3 Sunland Park 17,581 412 750 1,162
4 Raton 6,020 286 1,228 1,514
5 Aztec 6,467 722 1,132 1,855
6 Rio Rancho 97,976 412 1,490 1,902
7 Edgewood 6,113 427 1,495 1,922
8 Bloomfield 7,791 630 1,506 2,136
9 Truth or Consequences 5,839 723 1,716 2,439
10 Clovis 38,701 553 2,282 2,835
11 Artesia 12,463 214 2,824 3,038
12 Carlsbad 29,278 559 2,583 3,142
13 Las Vegas 13,055 1,062 2,240 3,303
14 Alamogordo 31,635 406 2,931 3,337
15 Farmington 44,967 1,067 2,549 3,616
16 Los Lunas 15,814 600 3,077 3,676
17 Roswell 47,751 915 2,875 3,790
18 Belen 7,476 1,345 3,537 4,882
19 Gallup 21,637 1,360 3,944 5,305
20 Santa Fe 84,418 854 4,967 5,821
21 Hobbs 38,475 886 4,967 5,854
22 Las Cruces 102,950 578 5,402 5,980
23 Albuquerque 560,447 1,317 4,705 6,022
24 Taos 5,950 1,028 5,434 6,462

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in New Mexico is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included New Mexico cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.