El Centro, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 86% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is El Centro Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
El Centro has a crime rate that is 44% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 173.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 173
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
52% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 30
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
79% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
El Centro 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
|
150 | +50% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
148 | +48% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
168 | +68% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
153 | +53% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
149 | +49% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
167 | +67% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
172 | +72% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
El Centro Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
El Centro Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific El Centro zip codes.
El Centro Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in El Centro, CA?
El Centro, CA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 44% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 173 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 30 chance for property crime. El Centro has higher crime than 86% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is El Centro, CA safe to live in?
El Centro has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting El Centro is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in El Centro?
The estimated violent crime rate in El Centro is 578.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 52% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 173 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.5 per 100K (50% above average); aggravated assault at 395.6 per 100K (48% above average); robbery at 124.0 per 100K (68% above average).
What is the property crime rate in El Centro?
The estimated property crime rate in El Centro is 3,284.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 79% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 30 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 401.4 per 100K (49% above average); larceny/theft at 2,335.3 per 100K (67% above average); vehicle theft at 547.3 per 100K (72% above average).
How does El Centro crime compare to the national average?
El Centro's overall crime rate is 44% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (72% above average), while assault is 48% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, El Centro has higher crime than 86% of them.
Is El Centro safe to visit?
Visitors to El Centro should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 79% 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 El Centro crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. El Centro's crime rate is 44% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in El Centro?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in El Centro, with an estimated rate of 2,335.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 67% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,284 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (578 per 100K) in El Centro, which is consistent with national trends.