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D+

Is Salinas, California Safe?

Population 159,134 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Salinas earns a D+ safety grade with 251.7 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs below the national average, putting the city behind 79% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,884 per 100K.

Salinas Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSalinasCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate246.6333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2270.82099.21,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate172.0--268.2
Theft Rate1884.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate283.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

251.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

247/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2271/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Salinas

Violent crime in Salinas is below the national average. The rate of 246.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2270.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,884 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Salinas Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault172
064% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery49
077% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary304
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,884
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft283
089% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Salinas Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Salinas
246.6
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Salinas
2270.8
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Salinas Safety

Is Salinas safe?
Not especially. Salinas earns a D+ with a crime rate of 251.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Salinas?
251.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 246.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2270.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Salinas safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Salinas's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,884 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Salinas?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Salinas generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Salinas police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Salinas?
No. Crime in Salinas has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Salinas compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Salinas ranks behind about 78% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Salinas 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 Salinas?
Bad. A D+ grade and 251.7 per-thousand rate put Salinas below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 247 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Salinas?
246.6 per 100,000, which is 32% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (172), robbery (49), and murder (3.0) 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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