Carlsbad, NM Crime Rate & Safety
Last updated: June 4, 2026
Lower crime than 61% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated June 2026
Summary: Carlsbad, NM Crime Rate (2026)
Carlsbad, NM has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is 29% below the national average. Carlsbad has lower crime than 61% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) & local law enforcement agencies. Last updated: June 4, 2026.
Is Carlsbad Safe?
Mostly yes — Carlsbad is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Carlsbad has a crime rate that is 29% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 341.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 341
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
23% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 59
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
7% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Carlsbad Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
75 | -25% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
81 | -19% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Carlsbad Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Carlsbad Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Carlsbad zip codes.
Carlsbad Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Carlsbad, NM?
Carlsbad, NM has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 29% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 341 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 59 chance for property crime. Carlsbad has lower crime than 61% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Carlsbad, NM safe to live in?
Carlsbad is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Carlsbad is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Carlsbad?
The estimated violent crime rate in Carlsbad is 293.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 23% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 341 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.6 per 100K (28% below average); aggravated assault at 201.3 per 100K (25% below average); robbery at 63.0 per 100K (15% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Carlsbad?
The estimated property crime rate in Carlsbad is 1,697.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 7% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 59 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 195.1 per 100K (28% below average); larceny/theft at 1,243.6 per 100K (11% below average); vehicle theft at 258.9 per 100K (19% below average).
How does Carlsbad crime compare to the national average?
Carlsbad's overall crime rate is 29% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (11% below average), while murder is 28% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Carlsbad has lower crime than 61% of them.
Is Carlsbad safe to visit?
Carlsbad is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 7% below 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.
How does Carlsbad crime compare to the rest of New Mexico?
New Mexico as a whole has crime that is 21% above the national average. Carlsbad's crime rate is 29% below the national average, making it safer the typical New Mexico city.
What type of crime is most common in Carlsbad?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Carlsbad, with an estimated rate of 1,243.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 11% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,698 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (294 per 100K) in Carlsbad, which is consistent with national trends.