Laurel, MD Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 84% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Laurel Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Laurel has a crime rate that is 37% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 244.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like West Laurel earn an A safety grade, while South Laurel rates B. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Laurel.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 244
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
8% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 40
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
38% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Laurel 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
|
130 | +30% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
116 | +16% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
102 | +2% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
96 | -4% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
134 | +34% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
121 | +21% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Laurel Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Laurel?
Safety varies dramatically across Laurel's 5+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 5Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 5Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 5 neighborhoods in Laurel
All Laurel Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Laurel | A | 61 |
| 2 | Scaggsville | A- | 70 |
| 3 | Maryland City | B+ | 70 |
| 4 | North Laurel | B+ | 103 |
| 5 | South Laurel | B | 88 |
Laurel Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Laurel zip codes.
Laurel Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Laurel, MD?
Laurel, MD has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 37% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 244 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 40 chance for property crime. Laurel has higher crime than 84% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Laurel, MD safe to live in?
Laurel has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 100% of the city's 5 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, West Laurel is one of the safest areas, while South Laurel has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Laurel is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Laurel?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Laurel are West Laurel, Scaggsville, Maryland City, North Laurel, and South Laurel. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Laurel?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Laurel include South Laurel, North Laurel, Maryland City, Scaggsville, and West Laurel. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Laurel?
The estimated violent crime rate in Laurel is 410.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 8% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 244 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.5 per 100K (30% above average); aggravated assault at 311.9 per 100K (16% above average); robbery at 75.3 per 100K (2% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Laurel?
The estimated property crime rate in Laurel is 2,523.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 40 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 260.0 per 100K (4% below average); larceny/theft at 1,878.6 per 100K (34% above average); vehicle theft at 384.8 per 100K (21% above average).
How does Laurel crime compare to the national average?
Laurel's overall crime rate is 37% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (34% above average), while rape is 51% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Laurel has higher crime than 84% of them.
Is Laurel safe to visit?
Visitors to Laurel should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 38% 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 West Laurel, Scaggsville, Maryland City.
How does Laurel crime compare to the rest of Maryland?
Maryland as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. Laurel's crime rate is 37% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Maryland city.
What type of crime is most common in Laurel?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Laurel, with an estimated rate of 1,878.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 34% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,523 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (410 per 100K) in Laurel, which is consistent with national trends.