East Palo Alto, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 99% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is East Palo Alto Safe?
No — East Palo Alto has high crime rates
Exercise extra caution. Avoid walking alone at night and stay in well-lit areas.
East Palo Alto has a crime rate that is 270% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 75.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 75
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
249% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 14
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
287% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
East Palo Alto 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
|
378 | +278% | High | |
|
Assault
|
314 | +214% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
444 | +344% | Very High | |
|
Rape
|
408 | +308% | Very High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
301 | +201% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
350 | +250% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
430 | +330% | Very High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
East Palo Alto Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
East Palo Alto Demographics & Context
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in East Palo Alto, CA?
East Palo Alto, CA has a crime safety grade of D- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 270% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 75 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 14 chance for property crime. East Palo Alto has higher crime than 99% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is East Palo Alto, CA safe to live in?
East Palo Alto has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting East Palo Alto is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in East Palo Alto?
The estimated violent crime rate in East Palo Alto is 1,327.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 249% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 75 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 18.9 per 100K (278% above average); aggravated assault at 843.2 per 100K (214% above average); robbery at 328.1 per 100K (344% above average).
What is the property crime rate in East Palo Alto?
The estimated property crime rate in East Palo Alto is 7,092.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 287% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 14 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 811.0 per 100K (201% above average); larceny/theft at 4,909.8 per 100K (250% above average); vehicle theft at 1,371.5 per 100K (330% above average).
How does East Palo Alto crime compare to the national average?
East Palo Alto's overall crime rate is 270% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (344% above average), while burglary is 201% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, East Palo Alto has higher crime than 99% of them.
Is East Palo Alto safe to visit?
Visitors to East Palo Alto should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 287% 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 East Palo Alto crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. East Palo Alto's crime rate is 270% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in East Palo Alto?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in East Palo Alto, with an estimated rate of 4,909.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 250% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (7,092 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (1,327 per 100K) in East Palo Alto, which is consistent with national trends.