Is Berkeley Safe?
With an overall crime index of 118, Berkeley has a 18% higher crime rate than the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 197. However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood, with areas like Thousand Oaks earning an A grade while Downtown Berkeley rates D.
Crime Index Comparison
Berkeley
California Avg
National Avg
100 = national average. Higher values indicate more crime.
Crime Index
118
18% above average
Violent Crime
127
27% above average
Property Crime
131
31% above average
Safe Areas
68%
Neighborhoods rated A or B
Your chance of violent crime in Berkeley
1 in 197
Property crime: 1 in 191
Where Is It Safe in Berkeley?
Safest Neighborhoods
1
A
2
A
3
A
4
A
5
A-
6
A-
7
A-
8
A-
9
B+
10
B-
Thousand Oaks
Median income: $191,033
Claremont
Median income: $173,642
Northbrae
Median income: $155,904
University of California, Berkeley
Median income: $191,388
Kensington
Median income: $170,951
Claremont Hills
Median income: $203,055
Westbrae
Median income: $118,695
Berkeley Hills
Median income: $155,538
Panoramic Hill
Median income: $67,057
North Berkeley
Median income: $81,664
Explore the Interactive Crime Map
See neighborhood-level heatmap
Check Registered Offenders
Search offenders near any address
Berkeley Crime Breakdown
Highest Risk
Larceny / Theft · 45% above avg
Lowest Risk
Burglary · 14% above avg
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder Violent | 126 | ▲ 26% | |
| Assault Violent | 139 | ▲ 39% | |
| Robbery Violent | 114 | ▲ 14% | |
| Burglary Property | 114 | ▲ 14% | |
| Larceny / Theft Property | 145 | ▲ 45% | |
| Vehicle Theft Property | 134 | ▲ 34% |
Violent vs Property Crime
Neighborhood Safety Distribution
All Berkeley Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thousand Oaks | A | 36 |
| 2 | Claremont | A | 87 |
| 3 | Northbrae | A | 49 |
| 4 | University of California, Berkeley | A | 42 |
| 5 | Kensington | A- | 58 |
| 6 | Claremont Hills | A- | 91 |
| 7 | Westbrae | A- | 99 |
| 8 | Berkeley Hills | A- | 91 |
| 9 | Panoramic Hill | B+ | 99 |
| 10 | North Berkeley | B- | 141 |
| 11 | Central Berkeley | B- | 155 |
| 12 | Elmwood | B- | 160 |
| 13 | LeConte / South | B- | 155 |
| 14 | South Campus | C+ | 109 |
| 15 | West Berkeley | C | 159 |
| 16 | Berkeley Oceanview | C- | 167 |
| 17 | South Berkeley | C- | 169 |
| 18 | Berkeley Marina | C- | 192 |
| 19 | Downtown Berkeley | D | 189 |
Berkeley Crime by Zip Code
Berkeley Demographics & Cost of Living
Population
123,065
Median Income
$91,259
Home Value
$1,058,240
Median Rent
$1,767
Home Ownership
43%
Racial Demographics
White
51.4%
Black
9.1%
Hispanic
10.6%
Asian
24.3%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Berkeley?
Berkeley has an overall crime index of 118, which is above the national average of 100. Approximately 68% of neighborhoods in Berkeley are rated A or B for safety.
Is Berkeley safe to live in?
Berkeley has a crime safety grade of D+. Very high crime. Safety varies significantly by neighborhood, so it is important to research specific areas before moving.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Berkeley?
The safest neighborhoods in Berkeley based on crime data include Thousand Oaks, Claremont, Northbrae, University of California, Berkeley, and Kensington. These areas have the lowest crime indices in the city.
How does Berkeley crime compare to the national average?
Berkeley's overall crime index is 118 compared to the national average of 100, meaning crime is 18% higher than the typical US city.
Crime Statistics for Nearby Cities
San Francisco, CA
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Oakland, CA
Antioch, CA
Fremont, CA
Vallejo, CA
Hayward, CA
Fairfield, CA
Berkeley, CA
Richmond, CA
Daly City, CA
San Mateo, CA
San Leandro, CA
Livermore, CA
Napa, CA
Redwood City, CA
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Pleasanton, CA
Alameda, CA
Union City, CA
Pittsburg, CA
Walnut Creek, CA
South San Francisco, CA
Castro Valley, CA
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