CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D+

Is Carlsbad, California Safe?

Population 112,260 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for Carlsbad means there's room for concern. The 253.3 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime close to the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,600 per 100K.

Carlsbad Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricCarlsbadCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate346.6333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2186.32099.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate226.0--268.2
Theft Rate1600.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate401.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

253.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

347/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2186/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Carlsbad

Violent crime in Carlsbad is close to the national average. The rate of 346.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2186.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,600 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Carlsbad Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault226
084% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery74
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary346
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,600
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft401
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Carlsbad Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Carlsbad
346.6
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Carlsbad
2186.3
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Carlsbad Safety

Is Carlsbad safe?
Not especially. Carlsbad earns a D+ with a crime rate of 253.3 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Carlsbad?
253.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 346.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2186.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Carlsbad safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Carlsbad's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,600 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Carlsbad?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Carlsbad generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Carlsbad police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Carlsbad?
Crime rates have held steady in Carlsbad, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Carlsbad compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Carlsbad ranks behind about 80% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Carlsbad to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Carlsbad?
Bad. A D+ grade and 253.3 per-thousand rate put Carlsbad below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 347 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Carlsbad?
346.6 per 100,000, which is 5% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (226), robbery (74), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in California

Similar-sized communities in California. Compare crime rates across the state.

D+
See crime rates in Santa Maria111,390 pop · Grade D+
D+
See crime rates in Murrieta114,124 pop · Grade D+
C-
See crime rates in San Buenaventura (Ventura)109,914 pop · Grade C-
C-
See crime rates in Richmond114,861 pop · Grade C-
D-
See crime rates in Temecula114,865 pop · Grade D-
D-
See crime rates in Costa Mesa108,881 pop · Grade D-
View all California city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Carlsbad

Get weekly safety updates for Carlsbad

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities