Also known as ABQ or Duke City, Albuquerque is a gorgeous city in New Mexico and is known for its amazing food, historic architecture, and low cost of living. Although violent crime in Albuquerque is on the decline, the city still boasts high crime rates, which has many people wondering, “How safe is Albuquerque New Mexico?”
Despite the higher-than-average crime rates, Albuquerque is a very safe place to live, and many areas in the city see little to no crime at all. If you have already browsed through the best neighborhoods in Albuquerque but want something with a lower crime rate, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few of the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque.
Albuquerque Safety & Crime Statistics
Is Albuquerque a safe place to live? Let’s take a look at the crime statistics for the city.
- 6,356 crimes per 100,000 people (75.6% higher than the state average and 170.9% higher than the national average)
- 1,344 violent crimes per 100,000 people (72.7% higher than the state average and 246.6% higher than the national average)
- 5,012 property crimes per 100,000 people (76.4% higher than the state average and 155.9% higher than the national average)
As you can see, the crime rate in Albuquerque is well above the state and national averages. However, crime in the area is steadily declining. According to the New York Times, homicides in the city have decreased by 24% during the first half of 2023. Property crime has also fallen by nearly 40% over the past six years.
If you want to learn more about crime in the area, you can check out useful resources such as the Albuquerque Police Department’s interactive crime map. You can also check out the public police reports on the department’s website.
View this post on Instagram
Valley Gardens | Safe Neighborhood in Albuquerque Close to Top-Rated Schools
- Population: 1,002
- Valley Gardens crime: 275 crimes per 100,000 people (95% lower than Albuquerque average)
- Average rent: $1,175
- Median home price: $375,000
Valley Gardens is one of the safest areas in Albuquerque, with a crime rate that is 95% lower than the city’s average. This beautiful neighborhood is home to the Bernalillo County Fire Department Station 34, so help is never too far away. Valley Gardens is home to some of the best schools in Albuquerque, such as Pajarito Elementary School and Our Little Kids Preschool LLC. This neighborhood is also popular among families with older children, as it is located right next to the CNM South Valley Campus.
Valley Gardens borders Coors Boulevard SW, which is home to establishments such as Walmart, Starbucks, Planet Fitness, and Hobby Lobby. You can also catch a movie at the AMC Classic Albuquerque 12 theater. There are also plenty of natural attractions around Valley Gardens, such as Valley Gardens Park. This dog-friendly park contains a basketball court, a baseball field, picnic tables, two playgrounds, and a shelter area.
Ventana Ranch | Master-Planned Community With Beautiful Real Estate
- Population: 9,551
- Ventana Ranch crime: 2,060 crimes per 100,000 people (64% lower than Albuquerque average)
- Average rent: $1,490
- Median home price: $349,000
When it comes to safe neighborhoods in Albuquerque, Ventana Ranch is at the top of the list. Ventana Ranch is a master-planned community located just west of the Rio Grande. This neighborhood consists of 4,700 homes selling for an average of $349,000. The homes in this area are mostly two-story properties with three to five bedrooms and small yards. When living in this area, you have access to a private community center that is complete with an in-ground swimming pool that is free for you to use at any time.
View this post on Instagram
This safe Albuquerque neighborhood is home to Ventana Ranch Elementary School and is within walking distance of Coyote Willow Family School and Volcano Vista High School. There are nine parks located within Ventana Ranch, including Terrazas Park, Briar Ridge, and Ventana Ranch Park. The latter park contains pickleball courts and playgrounds and hosts music events during the summer months.
Desert Spring Flower | One of the Safest Neighborhoods in Albuquerque NM
- Population: 2,318
- Desert Spring Flower crime: 549 crimes per 100,000 people (90% lower than Albuquerque average)
- Average rent: $1,433
- Median home price: $255,000
If you are looking for safe areas in Albuquerque, you should consider Desert Spring Flower. This cozy neighborhood has a crime rate that is 90% lower than the Albuquerque average. This area is completely residential and set back from any major roads, so your children can play freely without worrying about too much street traffic. When living in this area, you are just a block away from Desert Springs Park, which has multiple playgrounds and a shaded picnic area. You will also be just a short drive away from Tom Tenorio Park, where many youth and adult soccer leagues meet for games throughout the year.
Desert Spring Flower is also one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Albuquerque. Home prices in this area start in the low $200,000s and are an average of 1,164 square feet. The houses in this neighborhood are very close together, so there is not much yard space, making it perfect for those who don’t want to deal with landscaping responsibilities.
North Albuquerque Acres | Busy Albuquerque Neighborhood With Low Crime Rates
- Population: 1,051
- North Albuquerque Acres crime: 729 crimes per 100,000 people (87% lower than Albuquerque average)
- Average rent: $1,304
- Median home price: $881,000
Located in the northeastern area of the city, North Albuquerque Acres is one of the safest parts of Albuquerque. This neighborhood consists mostly of rectangular one-acre lots with homes averaging around $881,000. This area is becoming more desirable, and home prices are up 6.3% since last year. North Albuquerque Acres is home to the Albuquerque New Mexico Temple, which attracts millions of visitors every year. Due to the heavy tourist traffic in the area, the city takes great care to keep the neighborhood clean and the residents safe.
View this post on Instagram
In addition to being one of the safest places to live in Albuquerque NM, there are many other benefits of living in North Albuquerque Acres. No matter where your home is in this neighborhood, you will get a stunning view of the Sandia Mountains. This also means you can easily access the Sandia Peak Tramway, which can take you up to the top of the mountain to enjoy trails, skiing, and dining.
Seven Bar North | Bustling Neighborhood Popular Among Young Professionals
- Population: 1,224
- Seven Bar North crime: 1,707 crimes per 100,000 people (70% lower than Albuquerque average)
- Average rent: $1,320
- Median home price: $485,000
Seven Bar North is widely considered to be one of the safest places to live in Albuquerque, with a crime rate that is 70% lower than the city’s average. This area is very busy and is located right next to the Cottonwood Mall, which is one of the city’s biggest shopping centers. You will also be within walking distance of Salida del Sol Park, Lovelace Westside Hospital, and Black Arroyo Park. Seven Bar North is managed by the Seven Bar North HOA, which organizes several events in the neighborhood and works hard to keep the crime rate in the area at an all-time low.
Seven Bar North is one of the safest Albuquerque neighborhoods for young professionals. It is only a 23-minute drive from Seven Bar North to Downtown Albuquerque. There are also many wonderful apartment complexes near this neighborhood, such as Wintergreen Apartments, SkyStone Apartments, and Odyssey Apartments.
Volcano Cliffs | Large Neighborhood Close to Outdoor Attractions
- Population: 3,017
- Volcano Cliffs crime: 1,011 crimes per 100,000 people (82% lower than Albuquerque average)
- Average rent: $1,415
- Median home price: $585,000
When searching for safe neighborhoods in Albuquerque NM, you can’t skip out on Volcano Cliffs. Volcano Cliffs boasts a crime rate that is 82% lower than the city average, making it arguably the safest area of Albuquerque. Volcano Cliffs is a paradise for nature lovers and borders attractions such as Boca Negra Canyon, Paseo de la Mesa Trailhead, and George J Maloof Memorial Air Park. This neighborhood overlooks the Black Volcano, Vulcan Volcano, and JA Volcano, all of which are inactive.
Real estate in Volcano Cliffs is on the expensive end. The median home price in this neighborhood is $585,000, which is down 2.5% since last year. The homes in this neighborhood are very large, many containing over four bedrooms and coming in at 3,000+ square feet in area. Although there are no schools within this neighborhood, you will be situated within walking distance of Tony Hillerman Middle School and Volcano Vista High School.
Vecinos Del Bosque | Walkable Neighborhood With Riverfront Views
- Population: 620
- Vecinos Del Bosque crime: 1,453 crimes per 100,000 people (75% lower than Albuquerque average)
- Average rent: $1,006
- Median home price: $325,000
Situated along the Rio Grande, Vecinos Del Bosque is one of the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque. This neighborhood is great for those who want easy access to downtown while still living in an area with low crime rates. Vecinos Del Bosque is just 2.8 miles from Downtown Albuquerque, which is located on the other side of the Rio Grande. The crime rate in Downtown Albuquerque is 74% higher than the New Mexico average, while the crime rate in Vecinos Del Bosque is 60% lower than the New Mexico average. This is why Vecinos Del Bosque consistently makes the list of safe areas in Albuquerque.
When living in Vecinos Del Bosque, you can enjoy Valle del Bosque Park, which is a clean and well-maintained park containing playgrounds, a zip line, and river access. Just across the river, you can check out Trigley Beach as well as the Albuquerque Country Club.
Paradise Hills Civic | One of the Safest Neighborhoods in Albuquerque Popular Among Retirees
- Population: 32,807
- Paradise Hills crime: 1,459 crimes per 100,000 people (75% lower than Albuquerque average)
- Average rent: $1,490
- Median home price: $323,000
When looking for safe areas in Albuquerque NM, consider checking out Paradise Hills Civic. This large neighborhood is located directly east of Ventana Ranch and contains large family homes with spacious yards. Paradise Hills is popular among retirees as it is home to the Paradise Hills Golf Course, where members can enjoy a round of 9 or 18 holes and grab a bite to eat at The Office Bar and Grill. You can also enjoy hiking and incredible views at the Piedras Marcadas Canyon.
View this post on Instagram
Paradise Hills Civic is also popular among families, as there are many amazing schools located within the neighborhood. James Monroe Middle School, Sunset View Elementary School, and Sierra Vista Elementary School are all located in Paradise Hills Civic. The neighborhood is also just south of the CNM Westside Campus.
Safest Neighborhoods in Albuquerque Map
Now that you know all of the safe areas in Albuquerque, where will you be settling down? Any one of these neighborhoods would be a great choice for you and your family. When you are ready to begin your relocation journey, let our dependable Albuquerque movers assist you. Give Pro-Move Logistics a call today at 505-471-3434 to discuss your move and receive a free quote.
