You're going to be staying in the largest city in New Mexico and don't know which neighborhoods in Albuquerque are the most dangerous and the safest to stay in.
Indeed, everyone knows that the State of New Mexico is one of the most criminal in the United States. As a result, it is legitimate to ask questions about the security of its largest city, which has more than 558 inhabitants.
And whatever the reason for your stay, it is wise to find out in advance about the most dangerous areas of Albuquerque and the safest places to stay.
So I offer you this complete 2024 guide to the safety of Albuquerque neighborhoods with the map to spot the most dangerous and safest.
This guide was written by summarizing data from press articles, rankings and statistics published on the Internet in 2024.
Is the state of New Mexico dangerous in 2024?
For many years, New Mexico has been recognized as a state where violence and crime are very high. Recall that in 2021, according to FBI data, New Mexico ranked 1st state for kidnappings and that the violent crime rate had reached the highest level since the 90s.
However, it has been observed that violent crime rates have been declining in recent years. Violent crime fell from 8,2 incidents per 1 population to 000. In 7,8, this state remained with the most criminal state of Alaska in the USA. But what about today in 2022?
In 2024, New Mexico would still be one of the most dangerous states in the United States even if we cannot prove it by the numbers. Indeed, the FBI lacks data because many police departments across New Mexico do not report all information.
However, according to statistics on worldpopulationreview.com, the latest crime rates in New Mexico are still above the national average.
Albuquerque among the most dangerous cities in the United States
In 2024, according to the site realestate.usnews.com, Alburquerque would be the 2nd most dangerous city in the United States after Memphis whereas she would be the 13th according to the last classification of populationu.com.
Albuquerque is therefore not a safe city as confirmed by the latest statistics published on the website of the albuquerque police, neighborhood scout,Area vibes, FBI or crimegrade.
Also, the Numbeo ranking Albuquerque ranks 4th among the most crime-ridden cities in the USA. In fact, when comparing crime rates, Albuquerque would be more dangerous than St. Louis, New Orleans ou Chicago.
And when we compare to world level, Albuquerque is also one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Indeed, its very high crime index makes it more dangerous than cities like Lima, Bogota, Sao Paulo ou Mexico City.
Map of Albuquerque neighborhoods
To help you more easily identify dangerous neighborhoods and areas to avoid in Albuquerque: Map of main neighborhoods
Areas to avoid in Albuquerque
The majority of Albuquerque's most dangerous neighborhoods are located in the southwestern areas (South Valley) and part of the eastern zone from the city : International district or “War Zone".
Indeed, the first area to avoid in Albuquerque is the area called “ War zone » which runs along the city on both sides of Central Avenue, between San Mateo and Wyoming boulevards.
This area is plagued by gang violence, drug trafficking and murder. Unfortunately, there is also a large homeless population and many people living in extreme poverty.
Also note that Jackson Area also in the East Albuquerque area has one of the highest violent crime rates in the city.
It is important to note that these areas are not the only dangerous areas in Albuquerque. Indeed, the entire city is affected by a high crime rate. And even though the police department has worked hard to address this problem, even though they have increased their presence in the most dangerous areas of the city, the crime level in Albuquerque remains high overall.
The 10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Albuquerque
When defining the most dangerous neighborhoods in Albuquerque, we are talking about the neighborhoods that have the highest per capita rates of violent crime and property crime.
And by summarizing the statistics published on the Internet in 2024, here are the most dangerous neighborhoods in Albuquerque:
- Quigley Park
- La Mesa / Fair West / South San Pedro / Trumbull Village (the war zone)
- Jackson Area
- Elder Homestead
- Crestview Bluff
- Encanto Village Hoa
- Enchanted Park
- South los Altos
- High Mt
- Quigley Park
And to check the evolution of the most dangerous districts of the city, here is the Alburqueque crime map.
Is Downtown Albuquerque safe?
No, Downtown is not among the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque. Indeed, the statistics of the site areavibes.com give it an F grade with an overall crime rate that is 169% higher than the national average. Statistically, downtown violent crime is 244% higher than the national average.
Safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque
The large areas where the safest neighborhoods of the city are concentrated are located in the far North East, in part of the North West zone (Taylor Ranch or Paradise Hills), in Uptown (Louisiana and Menaul) and in Old Town .
For those looking for the safest neighborhoods to stay, here are the 9 best neighborhoods in Albuquerque:
- North Albuquerque Acres
- High Desert
- The Ranches
- Corrales
- Glenwood Hills
- Peppertree–Royal Oak
- Valle Verde Estates
- Pleasant View
- Sun North Estates
These neighborhoods are the ones that have had lower crime rates than other neighborhoods in Albuquerque. We can therefore say that they are less dangerous but not all necessarily safe.
Best area for tourists
If you read blogs, travel forums or other publications, you are told that the 3 best areas for tourists are:
- Historic Old Tow
- Downtown Albuquerque
- Midtown
But if it is true that these are the most interesting neighborhoods for a tourist stay, they are not the safest.
So, if as a tourist you are looking for a safe neighborhood, it will be better to favor a neighborhood in the North East of the city or in the area of North Valley which will be closer to Balloon Fiesta Park.
Where to stay in Albuquerque?
Far from the most dangerous neighborhoods in Albuquerque, the hotel I recommend is in one of the safest neighborhoods in the city of North Acres: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Albuquerque North/Journal Center
And if you prefer a cheaper hotel still north of Albuquerque, then I recommend: Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Albuquerque
Hot Air Balloon Ride in Albuquerque
And to live a unique and unforgettable experience and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Rio Grande and the desert landscapes at sunrise, then here is an activity that you can book on the internet: Hot air balloon flight
Header photo: Camerafiend at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
You've done an excellent job of summarizing the most important points of Albuquerque. I've lived there several times, the last time was in 2018. It was the crime that ran me out. The weather is no walk in the park either, but you can bundle up for the winters. My medical care was in the War Zone, and while the people at First Nation were great, it was upsetting seeing several armed guards INSIDE the facility. Often they had bullet proof vests on too. It's a shame because the college is really beautiful, there are cool art galleries and restaurants around it, and some very good artists in the city (many who are able to afford to live somewhere else and commute into the city), but you always have to be on your guard. Crazy and violent people are everywhere it seems, and even Old Town is getting pretty edgy. The grocery stores had women always looking over their shoulders and clutching their purses. It just seemed like a monumentally stupid way to live.
Thank you Steve for this comment. It's interesting to hear from someone who has lived in the city.