Portland, OR Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 50% of major U.S. cities
Safety varies across 125+ neighborhoods — Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Portland Safe?
Portland has a crime rate that is 20% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 319.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Laurelhurst earn an A+ safety grade, while Humboldt rates B-. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Portland.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 319
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
18% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 58
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
6% lower than national average
Portland 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
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
87 | -13% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Portland Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Where Is It Safe in Portland?
Safety varies dramatically across Portland's 125+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 10Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 10Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 125 neighborhoods in Portland
All Portland Neighborhoods
Portland Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Portland zip codes.
Portland Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Portland, OR?
Portland, OR has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 20% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 319 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 58 chance for property crime. Portland has lower crime than 50% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Portland, OR safe to live in?
Portland is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 100% of the city's 125 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Laurelhurst is one of the safest areas, while Humboldt has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Portland is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Portland?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Portland are Laurelhurst, Grant Park, Tryon Creek, Alameda, and Riverdale. 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 Portland?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Portland include Humboldt, Portsmouth, Boise, Old Town-Chinatown, and King. 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 Portland?
The estimated violent crime rate in Portland is 313.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 18% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 319 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.9 per 100K (23% below average); aggravated assault at 227.0 per 100K (15% below average); robbery at 57.2 per 100K (23% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Portland?
The estimated property crime rate in Portland is 1,717.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 6% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 58 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 193.2 per 100K (28% below average); larceny/theft at 1,247.2 per 100K (11% below average); vehicle theft at 276.7 per 100K (13% below average).
How does Portland crime compare to the national average?
Portland's overall crime rate is 20% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (11% below average), while burglary is 28% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Portland has lower crime than 50% of them.
Is Portland safe to visit?
Portland is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 6% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Laurelhurst, Grant Park, Tryon Creek.
How does Portland crime compare to the rest of Oregon?
Oregon as a whole has crime that is 14% above the national average. Portland's crime rate is 20% below the national average, making it safer the typical Oregon city.
What type of crime is most common in Portland?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Portland, with an estimated rate of 1,247.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 11% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,717 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (314 per 100K) in Portland, which is consistent with national trends.