Lafayette, CA Crime Rate & Safety

Lafayette, CA has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 45% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 366 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 65 chance for property crime. Lafayette has lower crime than 84% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Lafayette is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. Approximately 100% of the city's 31 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Quandt Area is one of the safest areas, while Downtown Lafayette has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Lafayette is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Lafayette are Quandt Area, Rose Lane, Happy Valley Improvement Association, Burton Valley, and Happy Valley Highlands. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Lafayette include Downtown Lafayette, Circle Creek, Pleasant Hills and Valleys, Reliez Valley, and Burton Valley. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Lafayette is 273.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 28% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 366 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.8 per 100K (23% below average); aggravated assault at 167.3 per 100K (38% below average); robbery at 81.6 per 100K (10% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Lafayette is 1,528.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 17% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 65 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 143.7 per 100K (47% below average); larceny/theft at 1,111.2 per 100K (21% below average); vehicle theft at 273.4 per 100K (14% below average).

Lafayette's overall crime rate is 45% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (10% above average), while burglary is 47% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lafayette has lower crime than 84% of them.

Lafayette is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 17% below 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 Quandt Area, Rose Lane, Happy Valley Improvement Association.

California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Lafayette's crime rate is 45% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lafayette, with an estimated rate of 1,111.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 21% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,528 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (273 per 100K) in Lafayette, which is consistent with national trends.