Las Cruces, NM Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 46% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Las Cruces Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Las Cruces has a crime rate that is 16% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 303.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 303
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
13% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 53
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
3% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Las Cruces 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
|
88 | -12% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
83 | -17% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
88 | -12% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
98 | -2% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
88 | -12% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Las Cruces Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Las Cruces Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Las Cruces zip codes.
Las Cruces Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Las Cruces, NM?
Las Cruces, 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 303 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 53 chance for property crime. Las Cruces has lower crime than 46% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Las Cruces, NM safe to live in?
Las Cruces has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Las Cruces is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Las Cruces?
The estimated violent crime rate in Las Cruces is 330.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 13% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 303 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.4 per 100K (12% below average); aggravated assault at 239.1 per 100K (11% below average); robbery at 61.1 per 100K (17% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Las Cruces?
The estimated property crime rate in Las Cruces is 1,889.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 3% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 53 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 236.2 per 100K (12% below average); larceny/theft at 1,373.8 per 100K (2% below average); vehicle theft at 279.1 per 100K (12% below average).
How does Las Cruces crime compare to the national average?
Las Cruces's overall crime rate is 16% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (2% below average), while rape is 23% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Las Cruces has lower crime than 46% of them.
Is Las Cruces safe to visit?
Visitors to Las Cruces should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 3% 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.
How does Las Cruces crime compare to the rest of New Mexico?
New Mexico as a whole has crime that is 21% above the national average. Las Cruces's crime rate is 16% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical New Mexico city.
What type of crime is most common in Las Cruces?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Las Cruces, with an estimated rate of 1,373.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 2% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,889 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (331 per 100K) in Las Cruces, which is consistent with national trends.