Big Sur, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 37% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Big Sur Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Big Sur has a crime rate that is 7% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 309.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 309
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
15% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 97
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
44% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Big Sur Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
71 | -29% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
84 | -16% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
86 | -14% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
42 | -58% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Big Sur Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Big Sur Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Big Sur zip codes.
Big Sur Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Big Sur, CA?
Big Sur, CA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 7% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 309 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 97 chance for property crime. Big Sur has lower crime than 37% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Big Sur, CA safe to live in?
Big Sur has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Big Sur is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Big Sur?
The estimated violent crime rate in Big Sur is 324.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 15% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 309 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.5 per 100K (10% below average); aggravated assault at 239.1 per 100K (11% below average); robbery at 52.3 per 100K (29% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Big Sur?
The estimated property crime rate in Big Sur is 1,030.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 44% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 97 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 230.9 per 100K (14% below average); larceny/theft at 585.6 per 100K (58% below average); vehicle theft at 214.4 per 100K (33% below average).
How does Big Sur crime compare to the national average?
Big Sur's overall crime rate is 7% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is murder (10% below average), while larceny/theft is 58% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Big Sur has lower crime than 37% of them.
Is Big Sur safe to visit?
Visitors to Big Sur should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 44% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Big Sur crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Big Sur's crime rate is 7% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Big Sur?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Big Sur, with an estimated rate of 585.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 58% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,031 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (324 per 100K) in Big Sur, which is consistent with national trends.