Carmel-by-the-sea, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 93% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Carmel-by-the-sea Safe?
Yes — Carmel-by-the-sea is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Carmel-by-the-sea has a crime rate that is 49% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 587.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 587
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
55% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 169
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
68% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Carmel-by-the-sea 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
|
25 | -75% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
60 | -40% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
10 | -90% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
4 | -96% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
29 | -71% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
18 | -82% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Carmel-by-the-sea Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Carmel-by-the-sea Demographics & Context
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Carmel-by-the-sea, CA?
Carmel-by-the-sea, CA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 49% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 587 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 169 chance for property crime. Carmel-by-the-sea has lower crime than 93% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Carmel-by-the-sea, CA safe to live in?
Carmel-by-the-sea is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Carmel-by-the-sea is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Carmel-by-the-sea?
The estimated violent crime rate in Carmel-by-the-sea is 170.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 55% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 587 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 1.3 per 100K (75% below average); aggravated assault at 160.6 per 100K (40% below average); robbery at 7.0 per 100K (90% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Carmel-by-the-sea?
The estimated property crime rate in Carmel-by-the-sea is 590.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 68% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 169 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 123.1 per 100K (54% below average); larceny/theft at 408.6 per 100K (71% below average); vehicle theft at 58.6 per 100K (82% below average).
How does Carmel-by-the-sea crime compare to the national average?
Carmel-by-the-sea's overall crime rate is 49% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (40% below average), while rape is 96% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Carmel-by-the-sea has lower crime than 93% of them.
Is Carmel-by-the-sea safe to visit?
Carmel-by-the-sea is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 68% 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 Carmel-by-the-sea crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Carmel-by-the-sea's crime rate is 49% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Carmel-by-the-sea?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Carmel-by-the-sea, with an estimated rate of 408.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 71% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (590 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (170 per 100K) in Carmel-by-the-sea, which is consistent with national trends.