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D+

Is Pasadena, California Safe?

Population 135,804 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for Pasadena means there's room for concern. The 251 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 1,350 per 100K.

Pasadena Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPasadenaCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate379.6333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2129.92099.21,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate224.0--268.2
Theft Rate1350.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate366.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

251 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

380/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2130/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Pasadena

Violent crime in Pasadena is close to the national average. The rate of 379.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2129.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,350 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Pasadena Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault224
084% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery69
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary333
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,350
096% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft366
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Pasadena Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Pasadena
379.6
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Pasadena
2129.9
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Pasadena Safety

Is Pasadena safe?
Not especially. Pasadena earns a D+ with a crime rate of 251 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 Pasadena?
251 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 379.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2129.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Pasadena safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Pasadena's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,350 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Pasadena?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Pasadena generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Pasadena police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Pasadena?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Pasadena's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Pasadena compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena?
Bad. A D+ grade and 251 per-thousand rate put Pasadena below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 380 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Pasadena?
379.6 per 100,000, which is 4% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (224), robbery (69), 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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