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D+

Is Las Cruces, New Mexico Safe?

Population 116,978 · Safer than 23% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for Las Cruces means there's room for concern. The 247.4 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime below the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,589 per 100K.

Las Cruces Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLas CrucesNew Mexico AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate268.1332.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2206.22123.71,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate191.0--268.2
Theft Rate1589.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate478.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

247.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

268/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2206/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Las Cruces

Violent crime in Las Cruces is below the national average. The rate of 268.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2206.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,589 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Las Cruces Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault191
071% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery56
088% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary349
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,589
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft478
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Las Cruces Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Las Cruces
268.1
State
332.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Las Cruces
2206.2
State
2123.7
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Las Cruces Safety

Is Las Cruces safe?
Not especially. Las Cruces earns a D+ with a crime rate of 247.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Las Cruces?
247.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 268.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2206.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Las Cruces safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Las Cruces's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,589 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Las Cruces?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Las Cruces generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Las Cruces police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Las Cruces?
Crime rates have held steady in Las Cruces, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Las Cruces compare to other cities in New Mexico?
Below average for the state. Las Cruces ranks behind about 79% of New Mexico cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Las Cruces to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Las Cruces?
Bad. A D+ grade and 247.4 per-thousand rate put Las Cruces below 77% of US cities. Violent crime at 268 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Las Cruces?
268.1 per 100,000, which is 26% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (191), robbery (56), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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View all New Mexico city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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