Crime Safety Grade

B

El Cajon, CA Crime Rate

Higher crime than 97% of U.S. cities

Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026

Is El Cajon Safe?

With an overall crime index of 173, El Cajon has a 73% higher crime rate than the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 149. 100% of El Cajon neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety, while 0% have high crime rates.

Crime Index Comparison

El Cajon
173
California Avg
109
National Avg
100

100 = national average. Higher values indicate more crime.

Crime Index
173
73% above average
Violent Crime
168
68% above average
Property Crime
182
82% above average
Safe Areas
100%
Neighborhoods rated A or B

Your chance of violent crime in El Cajon

1 in 149

Property crime: 1 in 137

Where Is It Safe in El Cajon?

El Cajon Crime Breakdown

Highest Risk
Larceny / Theft · 97% above avg
Lowest Risk
Assault · 20% above avg
Crime Type Index vs National
Murder Violent 189 ▲ 89%
Assault Violent 120 ▲ 20%
Robbery Violent 195 ▲ 95%
Burglary Property 167 ▲ 67%
Larceny / Theft Property 197 ▲ 97%
Vehicle Theft Property 182 ▲ 82%

Violent vs Property Crime

Neighborhood Safety Distribution

All El Cajon Neighborhoods

# Neighborhood Grade Crime Index
1 Cuyamaca Business Park B 173

El Cajon Crime by Zip Code

El Cajon Demographics & Cost of Living

Population
103,249
Median Income
$56,367
Home Value
$463,661
Median Rent
$1,398
Home Ownership
42%

Racial Demographics

White
69.5%
Black
6%
Hispanic
26.6%
Asian
4.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in El Cajon?
El Cajon has an overall crime index of 173, which is above the national average of 100. Approximately 100% of neighborhoods in El Cajon are rated A or B for safety.
Is El Cajon safe to live in?
El Cajon has a crime safety grade of B. Average crime. Safety varies significantly by neighborhood, so it is important to research specific areas before moving.
What are the safest neighborhoods in El Cajon?
The safest neighborhoods in El Cajon based on crime data include Cuyamaca Business Park. These areas have the lowest crime indices in the city.
How does El Cajon crime compare to the national average?
El Cajon's overall crime index is 173 compared to the national average of 100, meaning crime is 73% higher than the typical US city.

Crime Statistics for Nearby Cities

Crime Statistics by State