Portales, NM Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 73% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Portales Safe?
Yes — Portales has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Portales has a crime rate that is 38% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 399.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 399
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
34% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 70
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
22% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Portales 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
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Portales Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Portales Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Portales zip codes.
Portales Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Portales, NM?
Portales, NM has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 38% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 399 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 70 chance for property crime. Portales has lower crime than 73% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Portales, NM safe to live in?
Portales 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 Portales is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Portales?
The estimated violent crime rate in Portales is 250.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 399 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.3 per 100K (33% below average); aggravated assault at 166.8 per 100K (38% below average); robbery at 56.8 per 100K (23% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Portales?
The estimated property crime rate in Portales is 1,427.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 22% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 70 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 191.3 per 100K (29% below average); larceny/theft at 1,012.7 per 100K (28% below average); vehicle theft at 223.9 per 100K (30% below average).
How does Portales crime compare to the national average?
Portales's overall crime rate is 38% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (23% below average), while assault is 38% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Portales has lower crime than 73% of them.
Is Portales safe to visit?
Portales is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 22% 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 Portales crime compare to the rest of New Mexico?
New Mexico as a whole has crime that is 21% above the national average. Portales's crime rate is 38% below the national average, making it safer the typical New Mexico city.
What type of crime is most common in Portales?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Portales, with an estimated rate of 1,012.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 28% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,428 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (251 per 100K) in Portales, which is consistent with national trends.