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C-

Is Chula Vista, California Safe?

Population 275,533 · Safer than 27% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Chula Vista means there's room for concern. The 235.9 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime above the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,376 per 100K.

Chula Vista Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricChula VistaCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate461.4333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1898.02099.21,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate346.0--268.2
Theft Rate1376.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate320.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

235.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD-

461/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1898/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Chula Vista

Violent crime in Chula Vista is above the national average. The rate of 461.4 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1898.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,376 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 346 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Chula Vista Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault346
01.3x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery75
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary219
081% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,376
098% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft320
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Chula Vista Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chula Vista
461.4
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chula Vista
1898.0
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Chula Vista Safety

Is Chula Vista safe?
Not especially. Chula Vista earns a C- with a crime rate of 235.9 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Chula Vista?
235.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 461.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1898.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Chula Vista safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Chula Vista's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,376 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Chula Vista?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Chula Vista generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Chula Vista police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Chula Vista?
No. Crime in Chula Vista has been trending down, which is good news for the C--rated city.
How does Chula Vista compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Chula Vista ranks behind about 82% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Chula Vista to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Chula Vista?
Bad. A C- grade and 235.9 per-thousand rate put Chula Vista below 73% of US cities. Violent crime at 461 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Chula Vista?
461.4 per 100,000, which is 27% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (346), robbery (75), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

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View all California city safety grades

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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.

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