Albuquerque, NM Crime Rate & Safety

Albuquerque, NM has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 16% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 306 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 52 chance for property crime. Albuquerque has lower crime than 47% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Albuquerque has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Approximately 99% of the city's 176 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Heritage East is one of the safest areas, while Alta Monte has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Albuquerque is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque are Heritage East, Valley Gardens, Anderson Hills, Volcano Trails, and Parkway. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Albuquerque include Alta Monte, Santa Barbara / Martineztown, South San Pedro, Los Volcanes, and Silver Hill. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Albuquerque is 326.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 14% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 306 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.3 per 100K (13% below average); aggravated assault at 228.6 per 100K (15% below average); robbery at 65.5 per 100K (11% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Albuquerque is 1,925.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 5% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 52 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 232.3 per 100K (14% below average); larceny/theft at 1,386.1 per 100K (1% below average); vehicle theft at 307.0 per 100K (4% below average).

Albuquerque's overall crime rate is 16% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (1% below average), while rape is 16% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Albuquerque has lower crime than 47% of them.

Visitors to Albuquerque should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 5% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Heritage East, Valley Gardens, Anderson Hills.

New Mexico as a whole has crime that is 21% above the national average. Albuquerque's crime rate is 16% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical New Mexico city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Albuquerque, with an estimated rate of 1,386.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 1% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,925 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (327 per 100K) in Albuquerque, which is consistent with national trends.