| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Gallup/100k people | New Mexico/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,081 | n/a (estimate) | 5,400 | 3,468 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 7 | n/a | 35.0 | 10.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 15 | n/a | 74.9 | 53.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 50 | n/a | 249.8 | 65.3 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 229 | n/a | 1,143.9 | 587.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 301 | n/a (estimate) | 1,504 | 717 | 359 |
| Burglary | 142 | n/a | 709.3 | 500.3 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 559 | n/a | 2,792.4 | 1,750.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 79 | n/a | 394.6 | 499.9 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 780 | n/a (estimate) | 3,896 | 2,751 | 1,760 |

The Gallup crime rates are 154.8% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 301 violent crimes in Gallup (1504 per 100,000 people), which is 318.7% higher than the national average and there were a total of 780 property crimes (3896 per 100,000 residents) which is 121.4% higher than average.
With a crime rate of 5400 per 100,000 residents, Gallup has a crime rate that is 154.81% higher than the national average. This results in one of the highest total crime rates in the entire country. This does not necessarily mean that the entire city is unsafe. As with any area, there are some pockets in Gallup that are much safer than others. A little research will go a long way in determining which areas could potentially offer a safer living environment.
Gallup ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 1504 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Gallup stand at 1 in every 67 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.
While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Gallup stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Gallup, a total of 7 murders were reported, equating to 35 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.
With a property crime rate of 3896 crimes per 100,000 people, Gallup unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Gallup is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 26, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.
What do the local residents think about crime in Gallup? Well, based on a recent survey of 62 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 27% of Gallup residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 73% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Gallup is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Gallup has a total crime rate that is 155% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 2.96 daily crimes (0.82 violent daily crimes and 2.14 daily property crimes) in Gallup.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Gallup. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Gallup has decreased by 16.4%. Violent crimes have decreased by 21%, while property crimes have decreased by 14.5%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
In Gallup, the poverty rate currently stands at 33.7%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Gallup crime rates.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Gallup crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Gallup has an unemployment rate of 4%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Gallup, the cost of living is 8.39% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
| Item | Gallup | New Mexico | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 75 | 3,705 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.4 | 4.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | New Mexico /100K | National /100K |
| New Mexico | 3,129 | 155 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Twin Lakes, NM | 1,157 | 401 | 1,539 | 1,941 |
| Church Rock, NM | 1,404 | 403 | 1,544 | 1,947 |
| Yah-ta-hey, NM | 650 | 1,128 | 4,329 | 5,458 |
| Gallup, NM | 22,253 | 1,504 | 3,896 | 5,400 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Yucca Valley, CA | 22,259 | 606 | 962 | 1,567 |
| South Euclid, OH | 22,242 | 207 | 1,825 | 2,032 |
| Ballenger Creek, MD | 22,229 | 434 | 2,118 | 2,552 |
| Perrysburg, OH | 22,288 | 28 | 447 | 474 |
| Chillicothe, OH | 22,213 | 206 | 4,641 | 4,847 |
| Gallup, NM | 22,253 | 1,504 | 3,896 | 5,400 |