Albuquerque, NM Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Albuquerque Crime & Safety

Is Albuquerque safe to live in?

Based on an analysis of 176 neighborhoods across Albuquerque, the city earns a city-wide Safety Rating of A (Very Safe). A full 72.2% of neighborhoods — 127 out of 176 — carry an A grade, and another 26.7% (47 neighborhoods) earn a B. That means 99% of Albuquerque neighborhoods fall into the safe or very safe category. Top-rated areas like Heritage East, Anderson Hills, Volcano Trails, North Albuquerque Acres, and Rancho Sereno all hold A+ grades, making them among the most secure communities in New Mexico. Even the highest-crime neighborhoods in the dataset — Alta Monte (C-) and Santa Barbara / Martineztown (C+) — represent only about 1% of analyzed neighborhoods. For the vast majority of residents and visitors, Albuquerque offers a genuinely safe environment.

What is the overall crime grade for Albuquerque in 2026?

Albuquerque carries an overall Crime Grade of C+ for 2026 at the city level, which reflects broader metropolitan crime patterns. However, this city-level grade contrasts sharply with the neighborhood-level picture: when the 176 individual neighborhoods are scored independently, the aggregate Safety Rating rises to A (Very Safe). The difference matters because city-level grades can be pulled down by concentrated activity in a small number of areas. In Albuquerque's case, zero neighborhoods received a D or F grade, and only 2 neighborhoods (1.1%) landed at a C. The takeaway is that while the city-wide C+ grade warrants awareness, the neighborhood data shows most of Albuquerque is well above average in safety.

Which are the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque?

Ten neighborhoods earned the top A+ safety grade in the 2026 analysis. Here is how they break down by population and median household income:

• Heritage East — A+ | ~3,247 residents | Median income: $161,108
• North Albuquerque Acres — A+ | ~9,940 residents | Median income: $157,463
• Vista Del Mundo — A+ | ~1,033 residents | Median income: $158,832
• Volcano Trails — A+ | ~852 residents | Median income: $159,643
• Rancho Sereno — A+ | ~1,127 residents | Median income: $149,277
• Cherry Hills — A+ | ~1,133 residents | Median income: $124,848
• John B. Robert — A+ | ~2,200 residents | Median income: $105,257
• Anderson Hills — A+ | ~3,909 residents | Median income: $74,710
• Parkway — A+ | ~1,314 residents | Median income: $84,772
• Valley Gardens — A+ | ~2,151 residents | Median income: $43,666

Notably, Valley Gardens achieves an A+ rating despite a median income of $43,666 — well below the city median of $53,936 — demonstrating that top safety grades are not exclusive to high-income areas. North Albuquerque Acres is the largest of the A+ neighborhoods with nearly 10,000 residents, making it a strong option for families seeking both community size and safety.

Which neighborhoods in Albuquerque have higher crime rates?

Of the 176 neighborhoods analyzed, only a small cluster received grades below B. The neighborhoods with the highest relative crime grades are:

• Alta Monte — Grade: C- (the lowest grade in the dataset)
• Santa Barbara / Martineztown — Grade: C+
• South San Pedro — Grade: B-
• Los Volcanes — Grade: B-
• Silver Hill — Grade: B-

It is important to keep these grades in context: a C- is still the worst grade recorded in Albuquerque's 176-neighborhood dataset, meaning no neighborhood reached a D or F. Even the higher-crime areas represent a relatively moderate concern compared to what many U.S. cities of similar population experience. That said, residents and visitors spending time near Alta Monte or Santa Barbara / Martineztown should exercise the same awareness they would in any urban neighborhood.

How does Albuquerque's safety compare across its neighborhoods?

The grade distribution across Albuquerque's 176 neighborhoods is notably top-heavy in a positive way. 72.2% of neighborhoods score an A, and 26.7% score a B, leaving just 1.1% at a C and 0% at D or F. In practical terms, this means that roughly 174 out of 176 neighborhoods are rated B or better. The city's population density of 1,155 residents per square mile is relatively moderate, which may contribute to this spread — lower-density layouts can reduce the concentration of crime incidents that drives down neighborhood grades. For prospective residents, the data suggests that choosing almost any established neighborhood in Albuquerque carries a strong baseline of safety.

Is Albuquerque a good place to live based on crime data?

From a crime-data perspective, Albuquerque presents a strong case for livability. With 99% of its 176 analyzed neighborhoods graded A or B, the city offers an unusually wide selection of safe communities. The median home value of $203,975 and median rent of $889 keep housing accessible relative to many comparable metro areas, and the median household income of $53,936 supports a reasonable standard of living. The unemployment rate of 5.6% and a poverty rate of 16% are areas worth monitoring, as economic stress can correlate with property crime trends over time. Still, the neighborhood-level safety data for 2026 is encouraging: 127 neighborhoods at grade A, 47 at grade B, and zero at grade D or F paint a picture of a city where safe, affordable living is genuinely achievable for a wide range of households.