The U.S. is 8th in the world in total crimes at 80.0645 per 1000 residents, giving you an 8% chance of being a victim in the U.S., compared to Mexico that ranks 39th in total crime in the world with a per capita of slightly less than 13 crimes per 1000 residents¦ That is a 1.3% chance of being a victim of crime in Mexico.
According to almost every measure, Mexico is much safer than the U.S.:
Assaults in the U.S. ranks number 6, Mexico number 20
Burglaries in the U.S. ranks number 17, Mexico number 34
Car thefts in the U.S. ranks number 9, Mexico number 22
Fraud in the U.S. ranks number 18, Mexico number 29
Rape in (Canada number 5) the U.S. ranks number 9, Mexico number 17
My personal experiences are that Puerto Vallarta is the safest, most crime-free city I've ever lived in (and I've lived in dozens) and that typically Mexicans are much more honest than Americans or Canadians. Of course, there are all kinds so take heed of your activities and surroundings in any place.
Almost any other country in the world has crime. I have not yet seen any gun shooting on the streets, nor any of my American and Canadian Friends that keep coming every year, as they quoted “I feel much safer in Puerto vallarta than in Detroit or NYC”.
False rumors are on the media, so friends from the US call me to ask if Puerto Vallarta is safe for them and their children.
Well I would´t be living here if I didn’t feel safe, nor would all the tourists keep coming to stay for 3-6 month periods every year. Mexicans have been treating me with respect and caring.