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D-

Is Palo Alto, California Safe?

Population 67,609 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Palo Alto faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 85% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,891 per 100K.

Palo Alto Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPalo AltoCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate319.9333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2420.72099.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate206.0--268.2
Theft Rate1891.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate292.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

274.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

320/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2421/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Palo Alto

Violent crime in Palo Alto is close to the national average. The rate of 319.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2420.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,891 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Palo Alto Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault206
077% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery37
058% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary469
01.7x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,891
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft292
092% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Palo Alto Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Palo Alto
319.9
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Palo Alto
2420.7
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Palo Alto Safety

Is Palo Alto safe?
Not especially. Palo Alto earns a D- with a crime rate of 274.1 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 Palo Alto?
274.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 319.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2420.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Palo Alto safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Palo Alto's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,891 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Palo Alto?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Palo Alto generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Palo Alto police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Palo Alto?
No. Crime in Palo Alto has been trending down, which is good news for the D--rated city.
How does Palo Alto compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Palo Alto ranks behind about 92% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Palo Alto to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Palo Alto?
Bad. A D- grade and 274.1 per-thousand rate put Palo Alto below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 320 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Palo Alto?
319.9 per 100,000, which is 12% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (206), robbery (37), and murder (4.0) 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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