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D+

Is East Palo Alto, California Safe?

Population 28,872 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 28,872, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. East Palo Alto earns a D+ with violent crime below the national average. The trend has been positive. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,528 per 100K.

East Palo Alto Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricEast Palo AltoCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate297.8333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2188.92099.21,832.3
Murder Rate2.0--5.7
Assault Rate245.0--268.2
Theft Rate1528.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate440.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

248.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

298/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2189/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for East Palo Alto

Violent crime in East Palo Alto is below the national average. The rate of 297.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2188.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,528 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

East Palo Alto Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder2
035% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault245
091% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery39
062% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary394
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,528
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft440
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How East Palo Alto Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

East Palo Alto
297.8
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

East Palo Alto
2188.9
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About East Palo Alto Safety

Is East Palo Alto safe?
Not especially. East Palo Alto earns a D+ with a crime rate of 248.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in East Palo Alto?
248.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 297.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2188.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is East Palo Alto safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. East Palo Alto's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,528 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in East Palo Alto?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in East Palo Alto generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the East Palo Alto police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in East Palo Alto?
No. Crime in East Palo Alto has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does East Palo Alto compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. East Palo Alto ranks behind about 82% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is East Palo Alto to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in East Palo Alto?
Bad. A D+ grade and 248.7 per-thousand rate put East Palo Alto below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 298 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in East Palo Alto?
297.8 per 100,000, which is 18% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (245), robbery (39), and murder (2.0) 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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