Los Altos, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 82% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Los Altos Safe?
Yes — Los Altos is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Los Altos has a crime rate that is 44% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 165.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Palo Alto Hills earn an A+ safety grade, while Loyola Corners rates A-. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Los Altos.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 165
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
59% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 136
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
60% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Los Altos 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
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
196 | +96% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
93 | -7% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
31 | -69% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
27 | -73% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
52 | -48% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Los Altos Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Los Altos?
Safety varies dramatically across Los Altos's 8+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 8Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 6Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 8 neighborhoods in Los Altos
All Los Altos Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palo Alto Hills | A+ | 9 |
| 2 | Woodland Acres | A | 7 |
| 3 | South Los Altos | A | 24 |
| 4 | Rancho | A | 47 |
| 5 | Old Los Altos | A | 49 |
| 6 | Country Club | A- | 36 |
| 7 | North Los Altos | A- | 47 |
| 8 | Loyola Corners | A- | 10 |
Los Altos Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Los Altos zip codes.
Los Altos Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Los Altos, CA?
Los Altos, CA has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 44% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 165 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 136 chance for property crime. Los Altos has lower crime than 82% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Los Altos, CA safe to live in?
Los Altos is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. Approximately 100% of the city's 8 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Palo Alto Hills is one of the safest areas, while Loyola Corners has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Los Altos is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Los Altos?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Los Altos are Palo Alto Hills, Woodland Acres, South Los Altos, Rancho, and Old Los Altos. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Los Altos?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Los Altos include Loyola Corners, North Los Altos, Country Club, Old Los Altos, and South Los Altos. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Los Altos?
The estimated violent crime rate in Los Altos is 606.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 59% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 165 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.3 per 100K (53% below average); aggravated assault at 524.9 per 100K (96% above average); robbery at 68.7 per 100K (7% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Los Altos?
The estimated property crime rate in Los Altos is 735.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 60% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 136 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 188.2 per 100K (30% below average); larceny/theft at 380.3 per 100K (73% below average); vehicle theft at 166.8 per 100K (48% below average).
How does Los Altos crime compare to the national average?
Los Altos's overall crime rate is 44% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (96% above average), while larceny/theft is 73% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Los Altos has lower crime than 82% of them.
Is Los Altos safe to visit?
Los Altos is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 60% 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 Palo Alto Hills, Woodland Acres, South Los Altos.
How does Los Altos crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Los Altos's crime rate is 44% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Los Altos?
Aggravated assault is the most common crime in Los Altos, with an estimated rate of 524.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 96% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (735 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (606 per 100K) in Los Altos, which is consistent with national trends.