Portland, ME Crime Rate & Safety

Portland, ME has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 22% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 324 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 53 chance for property crime. Portland has lower crime than 51% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Portland is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 100% of the city's 18 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Stroudwater is one of the safest areas, while East Bayside / India Street has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Portland is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Portland are Stroudwater, Deering Center, Rosemont, North Deering, and Back Cove. 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 Portland include East Bayside / India Street, Valley Street, West Bayside, Parkside, and East Deering. 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 Portland is 308.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 19% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 324 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 222.3 per 100K (17% below average); robbery at 56.6 per 100K (23% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Portland is 1,878.7 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 172.8 per 100K (36% below average); larceny/theft at 1,399.6 per 100K (0% below average); vehicle theft at 306.3 per 100K (4% below average).

Portland's overall crime rate is 22% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (0% below average), while burglary is 36% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Portland has lower crime than 51% of them.

Portland is generally safe for visitors and tourists. 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Stroudwater, Deering Center, Rosemont.

Maine as a whole has crime that is 24% above the national average. Portland's crime rate is 22% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical Maine city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Portland, with an estimated rate of 1,399.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 0% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,879 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (309 per 100K) in Portland, which is consistent with national trends.