Buying a home in Las Vegas or moving to Las Vegas comes with a whirlwind of excitement. Bright lights, world-class casinos, buzzing entertainment, and a thriving tourism scene drawing in millions of visitors and new residents alike each year. As one of America’s largest cities and one of the fastest-growing cities in Nevada, Las Vegas is arguably the most vibrant community in the world.
But amidst the energy, it’s only natural to wonder about the Las Vegas crime rate. After all, no one wants to read about murders in Las Vegas or hear unsettling violent crime chatter when they’re considering packing up and calling it home.
So, how’s the crime index looking? Are property crimes on the rise? And what about Las Vegas crime statistics? While some areas have seen pockets of higher crime, the reality is that most violent crime is isolated to specific areas, and there are many safe neighborhoods that offer peace of mind for families, professionals, and long-term residents. In the grand scheme, Las Vegas does have crime, but context matters. It’s a big, sprawling city with a diversity of safety profiles across neighborhoods.
In this guide, we’ll dig into the data, compare historical trends, and help you get a real answer to the question, “Is Las Vegas safe?”
Understanding the Las Vegas Crime Rate - How Are Crime Rates Calculated?
Is Las Vegas safe? One of the best ways to answer this question is to understand how the Las Vegas crime rate is calculated in the first place. The Las Vegas crime rate is based on data reported to the FBI from local law enforcement agencies. Crime rates are typically sorted into violent crimes and property crimes. After receiving the data, it will be analyzed and then reported as an overall crime rate, violent crime rate, and property crime rate.
To get the final number, the FBI will take the total number of crimes committed in an area and then divide it by the number of residents in the city. Then, the numbers are multiplied by 1,000 and reported as “X number of crimes per 100,000 people” and compared to the Nevada and United States averages.
While the Las Vegas crime rate is a good way to get an overall idea of crime in the city. It shouldn’t be used as your only resource, especially in a city like Las Vegas, where a lot of crime is concentrated in just a few small areas where tourist traffic or gang activity may be higher.
According to Denver Channel 7, the FBI actually discourages using crime rates to compare two cities. Data reporting is completely voluntary, meaning that one city could appear safer than another simply because it didn’t report its crime data for a year.
Also, crime reports don’t include context, and one or two high crime neighborhoods can drive up the crime rate for the entire city, making it appear more dangerous than it really is.
It’s also important to remember that many types of crimes are likely to be very targeted. This means that the victim and assailant know each other, and the crime was random. This accounts for a large share of assault and aggravated assault reports, but crime rates do not differentiate.
What Is the Las Vegas Crime Rate?
So, what is the Las Vegas crime rate? Let’s take a look at the Las Vegas crime rate and consider how it compares to the Nevada and the United States average.
National Crime Rate:
- Overall crime rate: 2,324 crimes per 100,000 people
- Violent crime rate: 370 violent crimes per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 1,954 property crimes per 100,000 people
Nevada Crime Rate:
- Overall crime rate: 2,834 crimes per 100,000 people
- Violent crime rate: 454 crimes per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 2,380 crimes per 100,000 people
Las Vegas Crime Rate:
- Overall crime rate: 3,434 crimes per 100,000 people
- Violent crime rate: 516 crimes per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 2,918 crimes per 100,000 people
The Las Vegas crime rate is above both the Nevada and the United States averages. However, according to 8 News Now, crime in Las Vegas in 2025 is down in nearly every major category compared to last year, signifying a downward trend in both violent and property crimes in the area.
Las Vegas Crime Map & Crime Reports
In addition to understanding and analyzing the Las Vegas crime rate, you can also take a look at Las Vegas crime reports. The LVMPD Open Data Portal reports crimes as they happen, and you can use the tool to explore crime in your neighborhood. On this website, you can also find weekly reports released by the Las Vegas police, highlighting all reported crimes from the previous seven days.
Another great way to further analyze the Las Vegas crime rate is to take a look at a crime map of the city. The map below highlights the amount of crime in the city. The darker purple represents higher-crime areas, while the lighter purple represents areas where crime is less likely to happen. As you can see, a lot of the crime is concentrated in the center of the city, which is where you’ll find the Strip and other areas that are more popular among both residents and visitors.
Violent Crime in Las Vegas
Violent crimes make up a large chunk of the Las Vegas crime rate. Offenses that are included in the violent crime rate include Las Vegas homicides, aggravated assault, rape, battery, and kidnapping. The Las Vegas shootings are not included in these statistics.
Las Vegas violent crime rate:
- Overall violent crime rate: 516 crimes per 100,000 people (13.7% higher than state average and 39.5% higher than national average)
- Las Vegas homicide rate: 9 per 100,000 people
- Las Vegas murders by year: 147
- Chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Las Vegas: 1 in 194
The Las Vegas violent crime rate is above both the state and national average. However, most of these numbers are on the decline. According to 8 News Now, homicides are down 30.6% from last year. Additionally, according to News 3, crimes against people in Las Vegas are down nearly 16% compared to last year, especially within the 89109 zip code, which is where the Las Vegas Strip is located.
Property Crime in Las Vegas
Property crimes make up the majority of the Las Vegas crime rate. Property crimes include burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny, robbery, vandalism, shoplifting, and carjacking.
Las Vegas property crime rate:
- Overall property crime rate: 2,918 crimes per 100,000 people (22.6% higher than state average and 49.3% higher than national average)
- Total property crimes in Las Vegas (2022): 48,669
- Chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Las Vegas: 1 in 34
The Las Vegas property crime rate is above the state and national average, although a lot of this crime is concentrated in areas around the Strip, where criminals know people are leaving their belongings unattended. Despite the higher-than-average numbers, property crime is down 14% compared to last year, according to 8 News Now.
Areas to Avoid in Las Vegas | Worst Neighborhoods in Las Vegas
Is Las Vegas safe? For the most part, yes. But there are certain neighborhoods where there are safety concerns, as well as a higher-than-average Las Vegas crime rate. Here are a few potentially dangerous neighborhoods in Las Vegas to watch out for.
Cultural Corridor
- Population: 13,853
- Violent crimes: 640% higher than Las Vegas average
The Cultural Corridor might be home to museums and attractions, but it’s also one of the high crime areas in Las Vegas. Because this area attracts so many visitors, crime is higher in the area.
West Las Vegas
- Population: 20,794
- Violent crimes: 473% higher than Las Vegas average
West Las Vegas is one of the Las Vegas bad neighborhoods when it comes to crime rates. With a crime rate that is 473% higher than the city average, it earns a top spot on the list of Las Vegas areas to avoid, especially after dark.
Buffalo
- Population: 16,522
- Violent crimes: 226% higher than Las Vegas average
Despite being a primarily residential area, Buffalo lands on the list of bad neighborhoods in Las Vegas due to violent crimes in the area. While not as notorious as Fremont Street or other Las Vegas bad areas, crime here, particularly assaults and robberies, keeps it ranked among the dangerous neighborhoods in Las Vegas.
Safest Neighborhoods in Las Vegas | Safe Las Vegas Neighborhoods
When it comes to the Las Vegas crime rate, some areas of the city are safer than others. Whether you want to settle down in North Las Vegas or are looking for neighborhoods in Las Vegas for families, there are plenty of safe neighborhoods in Las Vegas. Here are a few of the safest places to live in Las Vegas that are popular among residents.
Sheep Mountain
- Population: 23,815
- Crime: 50% lower than Las Vegas average
Kyle Canyon
- Population: 26,776
- Crime: 43% lower than Las Vegas average
Tule Springs
- Population: 20,467
- Crime: 31% lower than Las Vegas average
Las Vegas Safety Tips - How to Avoid Crime in Las Vegas
Although the Las Vegas crime rate is on the higher end, there are plenty of things you can do to minimize your risk of becoming a victim of crime.
- Lock doors and windows
- Increase lighting around your home
- Stay aware of your surroundings, especially when utilizing public transportation options
- Don’t leave valuables in your vehicles
- Avoid flashy displays of wealth
- Don’t walk alone at night
- Park in well-lit areas
- Use resources like WalkSafe to find the best routes.
Las Vegas Police Department
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department works to keep the Las Vegas crime rate down. It’s the largest police agency in the state of Nevada, with approximately 500 personnel on the force, as well as a service area of over 53 square miles.
Las Vegas police reports are public, and you can request them online using their LVMPD portal.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, 400 S M.L.K. Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89106, (702) 828-3111
Las Vegas Crime Rate FAQs
Is Las Vegas Safe?
Yes, despite a higher-than-average Las Vegas crime rate, the city is very safe.
Is Downtown Las Vegas Safe?
Yes, Downtown Las Vegas is safe. Just make sure to be aware of your surroundings if you decide to live here or visit the area.
Is the Las Vegas Strip Safe?
Yes, the Strip is safe, but it’s important to do what you can to protect yourself when in the area.
What Is the Crime Rate in Las Vegas?
The Las Vegas crime rate is 3,434 crimes per 100,000 people.
What Is the Las Vegas Murder Rate?
The Las Vegas murder rate is 9 per 100,000 people. There were 147 Las Vegas murders in 2022.
Is Las Vegas a Safe Place to Live?
So, is Las Vegas safe? While the Las Vegas crime rate is high, the city remains a very safe place to live with plenty of fantastic neighborhoods to choose from. If you’re thinking about moving to the area, then get in touch with the amazing Las Vegas movers at Move 4 Less. Our team will make your life easier before, during, and after moving day.
Contact our team today by calling (702) 381-1200 for a free quote.
