The Safest Neighborhoods In Albuquerque: 2022's Ultimate List

Albuquerque is a city of year-round sunshine, vibrant cultures, and a diverse community. There’s an energetic downtown scene and friendly neighborhoods nestled in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. Albuquerque’s communities have much to offer virtually anyone, but what are the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque?

Some of the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque are Valley Gardens, Desert Spring Flower, North Albuquerque Acres, and Volcano Cliffs. Other areas considered safe and family-friendly are North Valley, Vecinos del Bosque, Paradise Hills, and Seven Bar North. Tijeras Arroyo offers low crime rates and a low cost of living, and Ventana Ranch is a relatively new neighborhood.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, history buff, sports fan, or self-proclaimed foodie, you can find the perfect neighborhood that fits your personality in the city of Albuquerque. Although crime rates are higher than national averages, Albuquerque is considered one of the safest cities in New Mexico. It offers many safe communities to settle down, and we’ve rounded up some of the safest areas to visit or call home.

The City of Albuquerque is one of the oldest cities in the United States. It has a unique multicultural history and heritage implanted in everyday life. Home to nearly one million people, The Duke City is one of the most culturally diverse populations in the nation. Residents enjoy a relatively low cost of living, a wide variety of housing options, reasonable commute times, and recreational opportunities abound.

Hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and biking are popular in the neighboring Sandia Mountains. Plus, the city features over 400 miles worth of paths and trails for exploration. Others appreciate kayaking in the Rio Grande river or cycling and strolling along its wooded banks.

Albuquerque’s position at the crossroads of two major highways in New Mexico makes the city a popular place for relocations. Prospective residents are drawn to the area for its many outdoor recreation options, rich culture, and artist living. Furthermore, its ever-growing economy and a cost of living lower than the national average are equally appealing.

If you’re planning a relocation to the city of Albuquerque, you have many factors to consider. One of those is finding a place to call home. As the most populous city in New Mexico, Albuquerque is host to many neighborhoods of varying sizes and housing options. Its distinctive neighborhoods reflect its renowned diversity, with an eclectic mix of modern and historic architecture.

Regardless of who you are or where you’re moving to, safety should always be your top priority. To aid in your neighborhood search, we assembled a list of the safest areas in the city. By analyzing FBI crime statistics, we could draw up an unbiased opinion on the top ten safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Let’s dive in and explore each of these communities in detail, along with their characteristics, crime rates, amenities, and livability.

Valley Gardens is a relatively small community of 2,270 residents about eight miles southwest of the downtown Albuquerque area. It is primarily residential single-family homes and features a community park, a Bernalillo County Fire Station, and an RV park. There are also a few dining options and a convenience store.

Though the Valley Gardens neighborhood is small and has few amenities, it is close to the city and the Rio Grande river for outdoor recreation opportunities. Residents describe Valley Gardens as a “nice neighborhood” where the people are friendly and “all the stores are really close.”

With a crime rate that is 97% lower than the city average, Valley Gardens takes the top spot on our list and is the safest neighborhood in Albuquerque. Violent crimes per 100K come in at 88, and the property crime per capita is 121 for 2020.

Desert Spring Flower is a growing community situated roughly seven miles southwest of the Albuquerque city center. The Desert Spring Flower subdivision is home to around 3,738 residents in the West Mesa area. It is entirely residential, with single-family homes on relatively small lots.

Residents of Desert Spring Flower enjoy convenient access to the freeways, manageable traffic, and many nearby parks. They also are near shopping centers and grocery stores. When it comes to safety, crime rates are 83% lower than the national average and a staggering 94% lower than the city’s average.

Based on our calculations, the Desert Spring Flower community earns the second spot on our list of the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque. Violent crimes per 100K people sit at 53, while the property crime per capita comes in at 385 for 2020.

North Albuquerque Acres is located about twelve miles from downtown Albuquerque, nestled in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. It is home to around 8,261 residents and is predominantly residential. The area features some modestly sized homes mixed with expansive mansions on large plots of land.

North Albuquerque Acres is plentiful when it comes to outdoor recreational opportunities, especially due to its proximity to the many trails in the neighboring mountains. The southern part of the neighborhood, south of Interstate 432, is where most commercial real estate exists. It is here where residents have access to an Albertsons Market, urgent care facility, bank, several churches, and more businesses.

Based on FBI crime statistics, North Albuquerque Acres earns the third spot on our list of the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque. Violent crimes per 100K people come in at 97, and the property crime per capita is 481 for 2020.

Situated outside the Petroglyph National Monument, Volcano Cliffs is a 3,400-acre community approved by the City of Albuquerque in 1964. This affluent neighborhood offers remarkable views of the city’s most notable landmarks. Volcano Cliffs is also home to the newest public schools on the westside of Albuquerque.

Zoning for this community is currently focused on single-family, high-density residential, and mixed-use. As a prospective homeowner in Volcano Cliffs, you have the option between buying available land or buying an already constructed home. Residents love this neighborhood for its sense of community, stunning views, and proximity to a national park.

Volcano Cliffs is considered the fourth safest neighborhood in Albuquerque, based on FBI crime statistics. Violent crimes per 100K people come in at 161, and the property crime per capita is 635 for 2020.

The North Valley neighborhood is another particularly safe area in Albuquerque. It features wonderful outdoor activities, farmers’ markets, wineries, and peaceful spas.

It is directly north of the Albuquerque city center and is home to around 13,990 residents. The area was originally selected by early Spanish colonists for use as farmland.

Nowadays, North Valley is a rich, fertile community that maintains much of its rural character. With its several wineries, the neighborhood is a part of the oldest wine-producing area in North America.

Residents and visitors to North Valley engross themselves in nature at the Rio Grande Nature Center. At the center, visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, and riding along the Bosque Trails.

As one of the premier places to live in Albuquerque, it’s no wonder that North Valley is considered the fifth safest neighborhood in the city. Violent crimes per 100K people come in at 43, and the property crime per capita is 754 for 2020.

Vecinos Del Bosque is just over three miles from the downtown Albuquerque area and is home to 2,782 residents. This neighborhood is a good blend of commercial and residential areas while also enjoying the city amenities due to its proximity to downtown.

Residents of Vecinos Del Bosque enjoy friendly neighbors, a great sense of community, good schools, and plenty of nearby shopping and dining opportunities. This area is the ideal choice for families. The reasons are that schools are close by, and the community offers many kid-friendly activities throughout the year. Homes are affordable, the cost of living is well below national averages, and crime rates are low.

In fact, Vecinos Del Bosque experiences 85% less crime than the city average, earning the title of the sixth safest neighborhood in Albuquerque. The violent crime rate per 100K people comes in at 359, and the property crime per capita is 764 for 2020.

Paradise Hills is a large community situated to the east of downtown Albuquerque. The neighborhood is home to around 28,891 residents, who enjoy many great parks, top-rated schools, a private golf course, convenient commutes, and friendly neighbors. The scenic views of the city and Sandia Mountains make Paradise Hills one of the most picturesque places in Albuquerque.

This community is the ideal choice for families, as young families make up much of the population. Locals also feel very safe in Paradise Hills and even describe it as having “little to no crime.”

Based on FBI crime statistics, Paradise Hills experiences 84% less crime than the city average and 55% less than the national average. As a result, Paradise Hills takes the seventh spot on our list of the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque. Violent crimes per 100K people come in at 104, and the property crime per capita is 1,067 for 2020.

Albuquerque’s Seven Bar North neighborhood is about thirteen miles northwest of the downtown area. It is home to roughly 1,252 residents and is almost entirely residential.

However, Seven Bar North does feature a small park, Salida del Sol Park, which is considered a hidden gem among the community. There is a playground for children, walking paths, nice landscaping, wide-open spaces, picnic tables, and plenty of shade.

Seven Bar North’s location provides convenient access to all the necessary amenities in neighboring communities. Homes are well-kept affordable, and neighbors are friendly. When it comes to safety, Seven Bar North enjoys crime rates well below both national and city averages.

Based on our calculations, Seven Bar North is the eighth safest neighborhood in Albuquerque. The violent crime rate per 100K people sits at 159, while the property crime per capita is 1,204 for 2020.

The Tijeras Arroyo neighborhood gets its name from the Tijeras Arroyo river that bisects the community. It is about nine miles southeast of the downtown Albuquerque area.

Home to roughly 3,843, Tijeras Arroyo is a quiet, clean, and friendly community. Its position offers convenient commutes to virtually anything. It’s only a short fifteen to twenty-minute drive to Kirkland Air Force Base, Nob Hill, Uptown shopping, downtown, and Northeast Heights.

In Tijeras Arroyo, homes are affordable, the cost of living is low, schools are top-rated, and crime rates are well below the city and national averages. As safety is of the utmost importance, you really can’t go wrong with this neighborhood.

Based on our calculations, Tijeras Arroyo ranks ninth on our list of the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque. Violent crimes per 100K people come in at 52, and the property crime per capita is 1,498 for 2020.

Situated west of the Rio Grande, south of Rio Rancho, and north of Volcano Cliffs, Ventana Ranch is one of Albuquerque’s most comprehensive master-planned communities. It is located about 13 miles outside of the city center. The neighborhood’s developer, Sandia Properties, started the 1,250-acre plan back in 1996 and was completed just ten years later.

A relatively new Albuquerque neighborhood, Ventana Ranch is home to approximately 9,551 residents. It features over 4,700 homes and a private community center (with an in-ground swimming pool, tennis court, and volleyball court).

There are also nine convenient parks, numerous walking trails, and nearby schools. The area offers both single-family residences and comfortable apartment homes, all at relatively affordable prices.

With crime rates that are significantly lower than both city and national averages, Ventana Ranch rounds out our list. It lands the tenth spot among the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque. Violent crimes per 100K people come in at 251, and the property crime per capita is 1,385 for 2020.

The most dangerous neighborhoods in Albuquerque are Central Penn, Yale Village, and Kachina Hills. In fact, many locals refer to Central Penn as “the war zone,” and Yale Village has a crime rate four times more dangerous than the national average.

Wildflower, La Mesa, Trumbull Village, and Quigley Park are also among the worst places to live in Albuquerque. Neighborhoods such as Alta Monte, Encanto Village, and Quail Ridge have higher crime rates than most of Albuquerque.

This neighborhood is on the northwest side of Albuquerque and has a little something for everyone. There are many family-friendly recreation opportunities, plus amazing restaurants, breweries, and more.

These features plus affordable living make Taylor Ranch ideal for young professionals, families, retirees, and pretty much anyone. The median home price is $201,386, and rent is a median of $1,042 per month. The crime rate makes Taylor Ranch safer than 74% of other Albuquerque neighborhoods.

Younger residents will find an ideal home in Nob Hill, home to many students, singles, and young professionals. The draw for this demographic is the close proximity to the University of New Mexico and affordable housing.

The median home price s $265,667, and the median rent is a very affordable $685 a month. The area is loaded with restaurants, historical sites, shopping, and more. It’s a lot to offer, with a crime rate that puts it about even with the average of Albuquerque’s cities.

Albuquerque is ranked as one of the least safe cities in the United States. Residents face a 1 in 73 risk of falling victim to a violent crime in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Property crime is more common and sadly affects 1 in 17 residents in Albuquerque.

However, some neighborhoods in Albuquerque have crime rates below national averages. If you plan to move to the area or just visit, make sure you know these safe neighborhoods. Valley Gardens, Desert Spring Flower, North Albuquerque Acres, and Volcano Cliffs are among the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque.

Overall, Albuquerque is a good place to live due to the below-average cost of living. There are almost 300 parks with beautiful views in Albuquerque, and there are many entertainment opportunities. The city has a high crime rate, but there are 145 neighborhoods, many of which are safe.