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C-

Is Palm Desert, California Safe?

Population 53,259 · Safer than 30% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Palm Desert earns a C- safety grade with 227.9 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs close to the national average, putting the city behind 70% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,342 per 100K.

Palm Desert Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPalm DesertCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate367.8333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1911.02099.21,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate241.0--268.2
Theft Rate1342.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate441.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

227.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

368/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1911/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Palm Desert

Violent crime in Palm Desert is close to the national average. The rate of 367.8 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1911.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,342 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Palm Desert Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault241
090% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery41
065% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary201
074% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,342
096% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft441
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Palm Desert Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Palm Desert
367.8
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Palm Desert
1911.0
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Palm Desert Safety

Is Palm Desert safe?
Not especially. Palm Desert earns a C- with a crime rate of 227.9 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 Palm Desert?
227.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 367.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1911.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Palm Desert safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Palm Desert's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,342 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Palm Desert?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Palm Desert generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Palm Desert police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Palm Desert?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Palm Desert's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Palm Desert compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Palm Desert ranks behind about 77% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Palm Desert to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Palm Desert?
Bad. A C- grade and 227.9 per-thousand rate put Palm Desert below 70% of US cities. Violent crime at 368 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Palm Desert?
367.8 per 100,000, which is 1% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (241), robbery (41), and murder (8.0) 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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