Morro Bay, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 77% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Morro Bay Safe?
Yes — Morro Bay is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Morro Bay has a crime rate that is 41% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 490.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 490
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
46% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 104
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
48% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Morro Bay 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
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
16 | -84% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
26 | -74% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
47 | -53% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Morro Bay Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Morro Bay Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Morro Bay zip codes.
Morro Bay Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Morro Bay, CA?
Morro Bay, CA has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 41% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 490 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 104 chance for property crime. Morro Bay has lower crime than 77% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Morro Bay, CA safe to live in?
Morro Bay 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 Morro Bay is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Morro Bay?
The estimated violent crime rate in Morro Bay is 204.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 46% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 490 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.3 per 100K (55% below average); aggravated assault at 181.1 per 100K (32% below average); robbery at 12.2 per 100K (84% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Morro Bay?
The estimated property crime rate in Morro Bay is 959.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 48% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 104 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 127.7 per 100K (53% below average); larceny/theft at 680.9 per 100K (51% below average); vehicle theft at 150.9 per 100K (53% below average).
How does Morro Bay crime compare to the national average?
Morro Bay's overall crime rate is 41% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (32% below average), while robbery is 84% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Morro Bay has lower crime than 77% of them.
Is Morro Bay safe to visit?
Morro Bay is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 48% 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.
How does Morro Bay crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Morro Bay's crime rate is 41% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Morro Bay?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Morro Bay, with an estimated rate of 680.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 51% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (960 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (204 per 100K) in Morro Bay, which is consistent with national trends.