California, MD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 57% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is California Safe?
California has a crime rate that is 27% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 413.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 413
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
36% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 41
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
32% higher than national average
California 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
|
86 | -14% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
60 | -40% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
73 | -27% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
93 | -7% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
128 | +28% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
117 | +17% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
California Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
California Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific California zip codes.
California Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in California, MD?
California, MD has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 27% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 413 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 41 chance for property crime. California has lower crime than 57% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is California, MD safe to live in?
California is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting California is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in California?
The estimated violent crime rate in California is 242.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 36% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 413 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.3 per 100K (14% below average); aggravated assault at 161.0 per 100K (40% below average); robbery at 54.3 per 100K (27% below average).
What is the property crime rate in California?
The estimated property crime rate in California is 2,422.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 32% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 41 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 251.4 per 100K (7% below average); larceny/theft at 1,796.5 per 100K (28% above average); vehicle theft at 374.3 per 100K (17% above average).
How does California crime compare to the national average?
California's overall crime rate is 27% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (28% above average), while assault is 40% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, California has lower crime than 57% of them.
Is California safe to visit?
California is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 32% above 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 California crime compare to the rest of Maryland?
Maryland as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. California's crime rate is 27% below the national average, making it safer the typical Maryland city.
What type of crime is most common in California?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in California, with an estimated rate of 1,796.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 28% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,422 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (242 per 100K) in California, which is consistent with national trends.