Hillcrest, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 47% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Hillcrest Safe?
Mostly yes — Hillcrest is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Hillcrest has a crime rate that is 17% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 238.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 238
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
10% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 41
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
34% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Hillcrest 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
|
97 | -3% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
104 | +4% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
137 | +37% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
105 | +5% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
92 | -8% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
125 | +25% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
144 | +44% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Hillcrest Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Hillcrest Demographics & Context
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Hillcrest, CA?
Hillcrest, CA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 17% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 238 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 41 chance for property crime. Hillcrest has lower crime than 47% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Hillcrest, CA safe to live in?
Hillcrest 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 Hillcrest is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Hillcrest?
The estimated violent crime rate in Hillcrest is 420.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 10% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 238 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.8 per 100K (3% below average); aggravated assault at 278.8 per 100K (4% above average); robbery at 101.2 per 100K (37% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Hillcrest?
The estimated property crime rate in Hillcrest is 2,456.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 41 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 247.5 per 100K (8% below average); larceny/theft at 1,749.1 per 100K (25% above average); vehicle theft at 460.1 per 100K (44% above average).
How does Hillcrest crime compare to the national average?
Hillcrest's overall crime rate is 17% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (44% above average), while burglary is 8% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Hillcrest has lower crime than 47% of them.
Is Hillcrest safe to visit?
Hillcrest is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 34% 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 Hillcrest crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Hillcrest's crime rate is 17% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Hillcrest?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Hillcrest, with an estimated rate of 1,749.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 25% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,457 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (420 per 100K) in Hillcrest, which is consistent with national trends.