El Cajon, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 38% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is El Cajon Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
El Cajon has a crime rate that is 8% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 302.
100% of El Cajon neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety, while 0% have high crime rates.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 302
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
13% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 51
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
8% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
El Cajon 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
|
98 | -2% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
84 | -16% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
97 | -3% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
88 | -12% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
93 | -7% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
98 | -2% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
109 | +9% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
El Cajon Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in El Cajon?
Safety varies dramatically across El Cajon's 1+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 1Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 1 neighborhoods in El Cajon
All El Cajon Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cuyamaca Business Park | B | 173 |
El Cajon Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific El Cajon zip codes.
El Cajon Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in El Cajon, CA?
El Cajon, CA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 8% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 302 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 51 chance for property crime. El Cajon has lower crime than 38% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is El Cajon, CA safe to live in?
El Cajon has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Approximately 100% of the city's 1 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting El Cajon is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in El Cajon?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in El Cajon are Cuyamaca Business Park. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What is the violent crime rate in El Cajon?
The estimated violent crime rate in El Cajon is 331.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 13% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 302 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.9 per 100K (2% below average); aggravated assault at 225.3 per 100K (16% below average); robbery at 71.5 per 100K (3% below average).
What is the property crime rate in El Cajon?
The estimated property crime rate in El Cajon is 1,978.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 8% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 51 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 251.8 per 100K (7% below average); larceny/theft at 1,379.9 per 100K (2% below average); vehicle theft at 346.3 per 100K (9% above average).
How does El Cajon crime compare to the national average?
El Cajon's overall crime rate is 8% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (9% above average), while assault is 16% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, El Cajon has lower crime than 38% of them.
Is El Cajon safe to visit?
Visitors to El Cajon should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 8% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Cuyamaca Business Park.
How does El Cajon crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. El Cajon's crime rate is 8% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in El Cajon?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in El Cajon, with an estimated rate of 1,379.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 2% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,978 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (331 per 100K) in El Cajon, which is consistent with national trends.