Cerritos, CA Crime Rate & Safety

Cerritos, CA has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 38% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 101 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 16 chance for property crime. Cerritos has lower crime than 73% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Cerritos 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 Cerritos is strongly recommended.

The estimated violent crime rate in Cerritos is 990.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 160% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 101 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.3 per 100K (53% below average); aggravated assault at 361.8 per 100K (35% above average); robbery at 483.1 per 100K (554% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Cerritos is 6,093.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 233% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 16 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 587.9 per 100K (118% above average); larceny/theft at 4,364.2 per 100K (211% above average); vehicle theft at 1,141.3 per 100K (258% above average).

Cerritos's overall crime rate is 38% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (554% above average), while murder is 53% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Cerritos has lower crime than 73% of them.

Cerritos is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 233% 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.

California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Cerritos's crime rate is 38% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Cerritos, with an estimated rate of 4,364.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 211% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (6,093 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (990 per 100K) in Cerritos, which is consistent with national trends.