The safest cities in California are Danville, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Moorpark, among others. This article explores the 12 safest cities in the Golden State for 2024, highlighting communities where residents can enjoy peace of mind.
From Danville in the San Ramon Valley to Lincoln in the Sacramento metro area, these cities offer suburban charm, excellent amenities, and vibrant communities. Whether you're seeking tranquility, top-rated schools, or scenic beauty, these cities provide some of the best environments for families and individuals prioritizing safety.
hash-mark12 Safest Cities in California
- Danville
- Rancho Santa Margarita
- Moorpark
- Aliso Viejo
- Poway
- Saratoga
- Yorba Linda
- Rancho Palos Verdes
- Laguna Niguel
- Mission Viejo
- Thousand Oaks
- Lincoln
hash-mark1. Danville
The safest city in California is Danville. Located in the San Ramon Valley, Danville has a population of 43,582 and an extremely low crime rate that is 78% lower than the California average. Danville offers suburban living in the bay area, removed from some of the nearby urban areas. Danville offers excellent restaurants, coffee shops, and parks and has highly-rated public schools. With its tranquil vibe and excellent safety record, Danville is one of the best places to live in California for families.
hash-mark2. Rancho Santa Margarita
Rancho Santa Margarita is another one of the safest cities in California. The city is located in Southern California in Orange County and has a population of 47,894. This city has a crime rate that is 76% lower than the California average. Living in Rancho Santo Margarita is quite expensive, with the average home price being $784,000, which is 216% higher than the national average. The average income in Rancho Santo Margarita is $104,556, which is much higher than the national average.
hash-mark3. Moorpark
Also among the safest cities in California is Moorpark. Located in Southern California near Los Angeles, Moorpark has a population of 37,573 and is safer than 74% of California cities. The crime rate is 662 per 100,000 people meaning that residents have only a 1 in 152 chance of becoming the victim of a crime. Not one homicide was recorded from 2017 to 2018. The average home cost in Moorpark is $597,300, which is 207% higher than the US average and 39% higher than the California average. The average income in Moorpark is $100,457, which is 82% higher than the California average.
hash-mark4. Aliso Viejo
Another one of the safest places to live in California is Aliso Viejo. This city of 47,825 people is located in the San Joaquin Hills of California. Aliso Viejo has a crime rate of 810 per 100,000, making the city 69% safer than the California average. Violent crime is so low that the chance of becoming a victim is 1 in 2,134. The median home price in Aliso Viejo is 56% higher than the national average, and the median income is $103,261.
hash-mark5. Poway
Poway is also one of the safest places to live in California. Out of a population of 49,479, Poway has a crime rate of 847 per 100,000 people, making it 64% lower than the national average. Poway is an extremely safe place to live, with almost nonexistent crimes, including zero murders and only 34 assaults being reported in 2021. Property crime is very low in Poway as well, with residents having only a 1 in 129 chance of being a victim. Poway is 61% more expensive than the US average and has a median income of $99,000.
hash-mark6. Saratoga
Saratoga is another one of the safest cities in California. Located southwest of San Jose, Saratoga is a small, affluent city home to 31,051 residents. It’s known for its gorgeous wineries, delicious restaurants, and many parks and outdoor attractions, such as its Hakone Japanese Gardens. It’s also a very safe city with a crime rate of 856 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 63% lower than the rest of the US and 107% lower than the rest of California. The violent crime rate is also 89% lower than the national average, while the property crime rate is 58% lower. Your odds of being the victim of a crime in Saratoga are 1 in 117.
hash-mark7. Yorba Linda
Another one of California's safest cities, Yorba Linda, is located in Orange County and has a population of 68,017. Crime in Yorba Linda is 66% lower than the California average, with 889 crimes per 100,000 people. In 2022, there were zero murders in the city and just a few robberies and assaults. The chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime is 1 in 2,136. The average home price in Yorba Linda is $728,300, which is 294% higher than the US average, and an average income of $119,697.
hash-mark8. Rancho Palos Verdes
Another one of the safest towns in California is Rancho Palos Verdes. Located off the Pacific Coast in Los Angeles County, Rancho Palos Verdes has a population of 41,643 and a crime rate of 911 per 100,000 people. In 2022, Rancho Verdes city was safer than 61% of US cities, with zero murders, six robberies, and 34 assaults in that year. In the same year, there were 78 burglaries and 28 vehicle thefts, making the chance of becoming a property crime victim 1 in 122.
hash-mark9. Laguna Niguel
Laguna Niguel is located just South of Irvine and has a population of 66,759. The crime rate of Laguna Niguel is 929 per 100,000 people, making it 60% lower than the national average. The violent crime rate is extremely low, with few murders and assaults; overall, residents have a 1 in 1,570 chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime. Property crimes are comparatively low as well, with theft being the most common type of crime. Laguna Niguel is a great place to live if safety is a concern.
hash-mark10. Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo is also one of the safest cities in California. Located in Orange County, Mission Viejo has a population of 94,513 and a crime rate that is 62% lower than the California average. The chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime is 1 in 1,319, with no murders and only a few robberies and assaults occurring in 2020. Mission Viejo is an affluent area with a median income of $104,886, which is 90% higher than the national average.
hash-mark11. Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks has a population of 126,823 and a crime rate of 1,097 per 100,000 people, making it safer than 58% of US cities. The chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime in Thousand Oaks is 1 in 1,649. In 2023 there was only one murder, 23 robberies, and 32 assaults.
The chance of becoming the victim of a property crime is 1 in 95, with burglary and theft being the most common. Being an affluent community, the median home price in Thousand Oaks is $837,100, which is 245% higher than the national average. Thousand Oaks is also one of the safest cities in the US with a population of over 125,000 people.
hash-mark12. Lincoln
Lincoln is also among the safest cities in California. It’s a city in Placer County, located about 10 miles north of Roseville in the Sacramento metro area. Lincoln is mainly known for its laidback, suburban atmosphere and annual ClayFest, which pays homage to the city’s influence in producing clay products. It’s a very safe city with a total crime rate of 1,065 incidents per 100,000,which is54% lower than the national average and 91% lower than the rest of California. The violent crime rate is 51% lower, while the property crime rate is 55% lower, and your chances of being the victim of a crime in Lincoln are 1 in 94.
hash-markSafest Cities in California Methodology
To determine the top twelve safest cities in California, we looked at crime statistics, quality of life, and amenities. We used available crime data from local and state sources from 2020 to 2023. We also used the latest FBI violent crime report for additional data. In addition, we limited this list of the safest places to live in California to cities with a population of at least 30,000.
Make sure to also take a look at our list of top 10 most dangerous locations in California to stay informed about areas you may want to avoid.
hash-markSafest Cities in California Bottom Line
Safety in California often comes with a high cost of living. While the cities listed are some of the safest in the state, the median home prices are well above both national and California averages. If you're looking for a high quality of life in one of these safe cities, be prepared for significant housing expenses. However, if you're interested in affordable housing options, consider exploring our other report on the cheapest places to live in California.
