California's 25 Safest Cities - Updated 2023

Safe Havens Unveiled: Exploring the 25 Safest Cities in California

Author: CrimeData.io Research Team

In a world where safety and security are paramount, finding the perfect place to call home becomes a top priority. Join us on a journey as we uncover the 25 safest cities across California. From tranquil suburbs to vibrant urban centers, these communities offer not only peace of mind but also a high quality of life.

Where does the crime data come from?

This comprehensive list of the safest and most dangerous cities in California is backed by credible data sourced directly from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NBIRS). By relying on this authoritative database, we ensure that the information presented here is not only accurate but also up-to-date. The FBI's NBIRS system is a trusted source for crime statistics, providing valuable insights into the security landscapes of cities and communities across the nation.

How do we rank the cities?

Our ranking system is based on the total number of crimes reported in each city. We then calculated the crime rate per 100,000 population for each city. The cities with the lowest crime rates were ranked as the safest cities in California. Conversely, the cities with the highest crime rates were ranked as the most dangerous cities in California.

To ensure the relevance and accuracy of our rankings, this list includes only cities and communities in California with a population of more than 5,000 residents. This population threshold allows us to focus on areas where a significant number of people live and work, providing a meaningful perspective on safety for the majority of our readers.

The data presented in this report spans a period from 2012 to 2021. By aggregating information over this decade, we gain valuable insights into the trends and changes in safety and crime rates within California. This long-term perspective allows us to identify both short-term fluctuations and broader patterns, providing a comprehensive view of the security landscape in the state.

#25 Woodland

County: Yolo

248

Crime per 100,000 population

-91.63%

vs. California average

-91.45%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Woodland from 2012 to 2022

Woodland is an area in Yolo, California with population of 60,977. The total crime rate in Woodland is based on the nearest law agency agency, Yolo County Sheriff's Office (CA0570000). Woodland total crime rate is 248 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Woodland

#24 Salinas

County: Monterey

227

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.35%

vs. California average

-92.19%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Salinas from 2012 to 2022

Salinas is an area in Monterey, California with population of 199,290. The total crime rate in Salinas is based on the nearest law agency agency, Monterey County Sheriff's Office (CA0270000). Salinas total crime rate is 227 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Salinas

#23 Prunedale

County: Monterey

227

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.35%

vs. California average

-92.19%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Prunedale from 2012 to 2022

Prunedale is an area in Monterey, California with population of 19,893. The total crime rate in Prunedale is based on the nearest law agency agency, Monterey County Sheriff's Office (CA0270000). Prunedale total crime rate is 227 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Prunedale

#22 Redwood City

County: San Mateo

224

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.46%

vs. California average

-92.3%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Redwood City from 2012 to 2022

Redwood City is an area in San Mateo, California with population of 83,905. The total crime rate in Redwood City is based on the nearest law agency agency, Redwood City Police Department (CA0411300). Redwood City total crime rate is 224 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Redwood City

#21 Poway

County: San Diego

221

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.54%

vs. California average

-92.38%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Poway from 2012 to 2022

Poway is an area in San Diego, California with population of 49,005. The total crime rate in Poway is based on the nearest law agency agency, Poway Police Department (CA037A300). Poway total crime rate is 221 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Poway

#20 Walnut Creek

County: Contra Costa

217

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.67%

vs. California average

-92.52%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Walnut Creek from 2012 to 2022

Walnut Creek is an area in Contra Costa, California with population of 69,876. The total crime rate in Walnut Creek is based on the nearest law agency agency, Pleasant Hill Police Department (CA0070900). Walnut Creek total crime rate is 217 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Walnut Creek

#19 Saranap

County: Contra Costa

217

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.67%

vs. California average

-92.52%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Saranap from 2012 to 2022

Saranap is an area in Contra Costa, California with population of 6,148. The total crime rate in Saranap is based on the nearest law agency agency, Pleasant Hill Police Department (CA0070900). Saranap total crime rate is 217 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Saranap

#18 Pleasant Hill

County: Contra Costa

217

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.67%

vs. California average

-92.52%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Pleasant Hill from 2012 to 2022

Pleasant Hill is an area in Contra Costa, California with population of 34,649. The total crime rate in Pleasant Hill is based on the nearest law agency agency, Pleasant Hill Police Department (CA0070900). Pleasant Hill total crime rate is 217 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Pleasant Hill

#17 Pacheco

County: Contra Costa

217

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.67%

vs. California average

-92.52%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Pacheco from 2012 to 2022

Pacheco is an area in Contra Costa, California with population of 5,129. The total crime rate in Pacheco is based on the nearest law agency agency, Pleasant Hill Police Department (CA0070900). Pacheco total crime rate is 217 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Pacheco

#16 Lafayette

County: Contra Costa

217

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.67%

vs. California average

-92.52%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Lafayette from 2012 to 2022

Lafayette is an area in Contra Costa, California with population of 25,384. The total crime rate in Lafayette is based on the nearest law agency agency, Pleasant Hill Police Department (CA0070900). Lafayette total crime rate is 217 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Lafayette

#15 Contra Costa Centre

County: Contra Costa

217

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.67%

vs. California average

-92.52%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Contra Costa Centre from 2012 to 2022

Contra Costa Centre is an area in Contra Costa, California with population of 6,743. The total crime rate in Contra Costa Centre is based on the nearest law agency agency, Pleasant Hill Police Department (CA0070900). Contra Costa Centre total crime rate is 217 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Contra Costa Centre

#14 Concord

County: Contra Costa

217

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.67%

vs. California average

-92.52%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Concord from 2012 to 2022

Concord is an area in Contra Costa, California with population of 640,270. The total crime rate in Concord is based on the nearest law agency agency, Pleasant Hill Police Department (CA0070900). Concord total crime rate is 217 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Concord

#13 Daly City

County: San Mateo

209

Crime per 100,000 population

-92.95%

vs. California average

-92.8%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Daly City from 2012 to 2022

Daly City is an area in San Mateo, California with population of 104,914. The total crime rate in Daly City is based on the nearest law agency agency, Daly City Police Department (CA0410600). Daly City total crime rate is 209 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Daly City

#12 Solvang

County: Santa Barbara

183

Crime per 100,000 population

-93.83%

vs. California average

-93.7%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Solvang from 2012 to 2022

Solvang is an area in Santa Barbara, California with population of 6,032. The total crime rate in Solvang is based on the nearest law agency agency, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office (CA0420000). Solvang total crime rate is 183 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Solvang

#11 Buellton

County: Santa Barbara

183

Crime per 100,000 population

-93.83%

vs. California average

-93.7%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Buellton from 2012 to 2022

Buellton is an area in Santa Barbara, California with population of 5,162. The total crime rate in Buellton is based on the nearest law agency agency, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office (CA0420000). Buellton total crime rate is 183 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Buellton

#10 Pollock Pines

County: El Dorado

149

Crime per 100,000 population

-94.98%

vs. California average

-94.88%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Pollock Pines from 2012 to 2022

Pollock Pines is an area in El Dorado, California with population of 6,450. The total crime rate in Pollock Pines is based on the nearest law agency agency, El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (CA0090000). Pollock Pines total crime rate is 149 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Pollock Pines

#9 Stanford

County: Santa Clara

107

Crime per 100,000 population

-96.39%

vs. California average

-96.31%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Stanford from 2012 to 2022

Stanford is an area in Santa Clara, California with population of 16,333. The total crime rate in Stanford is based on the nearest law agency agency, Palo Alto Police Department (CA0431200). Stanford total crime rate is 107 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Stanford

#8 Rancho Murieta

County: Sacramento

104

Crime per 100,000 population

-96.5%

vs. California average

-96.43%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Rancho Murieta from 2012 to 2022

Rancho Murieta is an area in Sacramento, California with population of 5,874. The total crime rate in Rancho Murieta is based on the nearest law agency agency, Folsom Police Department (CA0340100). Rancho Murieta total crime rate is 104 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Rancho Murieta

#7 Orangevale

County: Sacramento

104

Crime per 100,000 population

-96.5%

vs. California average

-96.43%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Orangevale from 2012 to 2022

Orangevale is an area in Sacramento, California with population of 35,729. The total crime rate in Orangevale is based on the nearest law agency agency, Folsom Police Department (CA0340100). Orangevale total crime rate is 104 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Orangevale

#6 Folsom

County: Sacramento

104

Crime per 100,000 population

-96.5%

vs. California average

-96.43%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Folsom from 2012 to 2022

Folsom is an area in Sacramento, California with population of 79,201. The total crime rate in Folsom is based on the nearest law agency agency, Folsom Police Department (CA0340100). Folsom total crime rate is 104 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Folsom

#5 El Dorado Hills

County: El Dorado

104

Crime per 100,000 population

-96.5%

vs. California average

-96.43%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in El Dorado Hills from 2012 to 2022

El Dorado Hills is an area in El Dorado, California with population of 48,612. The total crime rate in El Dorado Hills is based on the nearest law agency agency, Folsom Police Department (CA0340100). El Dorado Hills total crime rate is 104 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in El Dorado Hills

#4 Cameron Park

County: El Dorado

104

Crime per 100,000 population

-96.5%

vs. California average

-96.43%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Cameron Park from 2012 to 2022

Cameron Park is an area in El Dorado, California with population of 17,790. The total crime rate in Cameron Park is based on the nearest law agency agency, Folsom Police Department (CA0340100). Cameron Park total crime rate is 104 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Cameron Park

#3 Temecula

County: Riverside

67.9

Crime per 100,000 population

-97.72%

vs. California average

-97.67%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Temecula from 2012 to 2022

Temecula is an area in Riverside, California with population of 109,376. The total crime rate in Temecula is based on the nearest law agency agency, Murrieta Police Department (CA0334200). Temecula total crime rate is 67.9 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Temecula

#2 Murrieta

County: Riverside

67.9

Crime per 100,000 population

-97.72%

vs. California average

-97.67%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Murrieta from 2012 to 2022

Murrieta is an area in Riverside, California with population of 509,526. The total crime rate in Murrieta is based on the nearest law agency agency, Murrieta Police Department (CA0334200). Murrieta total crime rate is 67.9 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Murrieta

#1 French Valley

County: Riverside

67.9

Crime per 100,000 population

-97.72%

vs. California average

-97.67%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in French Valley from 2012 to 2022

French Valley is an area in Riverside, California with population of 40,188. The total crime rate in French Valley is based on the nearest law agency agency, Murrieta Police Department (CA0334200). French Valley total crime rate is 67.9 per 100,000 population, compared to California average of 2,973.05 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in French Valley

Factors Influencing Crime Rates in California

Safety Tips for Total Crime in California

Explore More on Crime Rates in California

Interested in learning more about crime rates in California? Check out our comprehensive guide to crime rates in California for a detailed analysis of crime trends and statistics across the state. From the safest cities to the most dangerous communities, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of crime rates in California.

Explore More on Crime Rates in United States

Curious about crime rates in the United States? Explore our comprehensive guide to crime statistics and trends across the country. From the safest cities to the most concerning communities, this guide offers an in-depth analysis of crime rates throughout the United States.

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