CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C+

Is Tehachapi, California Safe?

Population 11,852 · Safer than 43% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Tehachapi is a smaller community of 11,852 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 196 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,234 per 100K.

Tehachapi Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricTehachapiCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate260.7333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1699.82099.21,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate172.0--268.2
Theft Rate1234.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate270.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

196 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

261/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1700/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Tehachapi

Violent crime in Tehachapi is below the national average. The rate of 260.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1699.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,234 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Tehachapi Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault172
064% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery43
068% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary249
092% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,234
088% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft270
085% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Tehachapi Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Tehachapi
260.7
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Tehachapi
1699.8
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Tehachapi Safety

Is Tehachapi safe?
It depends on where in Tehachapi you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Tehachapi?
196 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 260.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1699.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Tehachapi safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Tehachapi has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Tehachapi?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Tehachapi generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Tehachapi police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Tehachapi?
Crime rates have held steady in Tehachapi, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C+ grade.
How does Tehachapi compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Tehachapi ranks behind about 62% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 0.9x the national rate.
How safe is Tehachapi to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Tehachapi?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 43th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Tehachapi?
260.7 per 100,000, which is 28% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (172), robbery (43), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in California

Similar-sized communities in California. Compare crime rates across the state.

C
See crime rates in San Marino11,964 pop · Grade C
C+
See crime rates in Los Alamitos11,702 pop · Grade C+
C
See crime rates in Fortuna12,003 pop · Grade C
D+
See crime rates in Commerce11,688 pop · Grade D+
D
See crime rates in Scotts Valley11,652 pop · Grade D
C-
See crime rates in Half Moon Bay11,287 pop · Grade C-
View all California city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Tehachapi

Get weekly safety updates for Tehachapi

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities