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C-

Is South Pasadena, California Safe?

Population 25,503 · Safer than 29% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

South Pasadena is a smaller community of 25,503 people with a C- safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 228.9 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,677 per 100K.

South Pasadena Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSouth PasadenaCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate322.3333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1966.82099.21,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate242.0--268.2
Theft Rate1677.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate350.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

228.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

322/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1967/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for South Pasadena

Violent crime in South Pasadena is close to the national average. The rate of 322.3 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1966.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,677 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

South Pasadena Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault242
090% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery63
0100% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary230
085% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,677
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft350
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How South Pasadena Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

South Pasadena
322.3
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

South Pasadena
1966.8
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About South Pasadena Safety

Is South Pasadena safe?
Not especially. South Pasadena earns a C- with a crime rate of 228.9 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 South Pasadena?
228.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 322.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1966.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is South Pasadena safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. South Pasadena's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,677 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in South Pasadena?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in South Pasadena generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the South Pasadena police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in South Pasadena?
Crime rates have held steady in South Pasadena, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does South Pasadena compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. South Pasadena ranks behind about 75% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is South Pasadena to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in South Pasadena?
Bad. A C- grade and 228.9 per-thousand rate put South Pasadena below 71% of US cities. Violent crime at 322 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in South Pasadena?
322.3 per 100,000, which is 11% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (242), robbery (63), and murder (5.0) 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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