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D+

Is San Luis Obispo, California Safe?

Population 50,636 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for San Luis Obispo means there's room for concern. The 249.6 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime above the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,567 per 100K.

San Luis Obispo Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSan Luis ObispoCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate439.5333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2056.82099.21,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate349.0--268.2
Theft Rate1567.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate493.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

249.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

440/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2057/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for San Luis Obispo

Violent crime in San Luis Obispo is above the national average. The rate of 439.5 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2056.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,567 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 349 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

San Luis Obispo Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault349
01.3x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery99
01.6x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary343
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,567
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft493
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How San Luis Obispo Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Luis Obispo
439.5
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Luis Obispo
2056.8
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About San Luis Obispo Safety

Is San Luis Obispo safe?
Not especially. San Luis Obispo earns a D+ with a crime rate of 249.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in San Luis Obispo?
249.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 439.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2056.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is San Luis Obispo safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. San Luis Obispo's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,567 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in San Luis Obispo?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in San Luis Obispo generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the San Luis Obispo police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in San Luis Obispo?
Crime rates have held steady in San Luis Obispo, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does San Luis Obispo compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. San Luis Obispo ranks behind about 80% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is San Luis Obispo to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in San Luis Obispo?
Bad. A D+ grade and 249.6 per-thousand rate put San Luis Obispo below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 440 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in San Luis Obispo?
439.5 per 100,000, which is 21% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (349), robbery (99), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

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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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