Portsmouth, RI Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Portsmouth Safe?
Yes — Portsmouth is extremely safe
One of the safest cities in the country, with crime rates significantly below the national average.
Portsmouth has a crime rate that is 53% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 616.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 616
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
57% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 136
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
60% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Portsmouth 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
|
44 | -56% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
37 | -63% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
42 | -58% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
38 | -62% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
40 | -60% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
23 | -77% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Portsmouth Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Portsmouth Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Portsmouth zip codes.
Portsmouth Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Portsmouth, RI?
Portsmouth, RI has a crime safety grade of A+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 53% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 616 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 136 chance for property crime. Portsmouth has lower crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Portsmouth, RI safe to live in?
Portsmouth is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Portsmouth is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Portsmouth?
The estimated violent crime rate in Portsmouth is 162.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 57% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 616 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.2 per 100K (56% below average); aggravated assault at 98.8 per 100K (63% below average); robbery at 31.4 per 100K (58% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Portsmouth?
The estimated property crime rate in Portsmouth is 737.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 60% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 136 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 101.6 per 100K (62% below average); larceny/theft at 561.5 per 100K (60% below average); vehicle theft at 74.1 per 100K (77% below average).
How does Portsmouth crime compare to the national average?
Portsmouth's overall crime rate is 53% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (11% below average), while vehicle theft is 77% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Portsmouth has lower crime than 99% of them.
Is Portsmouth safe to visit?
Portsmouth is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 60% 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 Portsmouth crime compare to the rest of Rhode Island?
Rhode Island as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Portsmouth's crime rate is 53% below the national average, making it safer the typical Rhode Island city.
What type of crime is most common in Portsmouth?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Portsmouth, with an estimated rate of 561.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 60% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (737 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (162 per 100K) in Portsmouth, which is consistent with national trends.