Novato, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 61% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Novato Safe?
Mostly yes — Novato is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Novato has a crime rate that is 29% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 356.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Northwest Novato earn an A+ safety grade, while Central Novato rates A-. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Novato.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 356
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
26% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 79
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
31% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Novato 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
|
81 | -19% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
83 | -17% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
94 | -6% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Novato Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Novato?
Safety varies dramatically across Novato's 7+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 7Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 7Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 7 neighborhoods in Novato
All Novato Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Novato | A+ | 15 |
| 2 | West Novato | A+ | 28 |
| 3 | Midwest Novato | A | 58 |
| 4 | Northeast Novato | A | 74 |
| 5 | Southwest Novato | A | 64 |
| 6 | Southeast Novato | A- | 104 |
| 7 | Central Novato | A- | 115 |
Novato Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Novato zip codes.
Novato Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Novato, CA?
Novato, CA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 29% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 356 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 79 chance for property crime. Novato has lower crime than 61% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Novato, CA safe to live in?
Novato is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 100% of the city's 7 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Northwest Novato is one of the safest areas, while Central Novato has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Novato is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Novato?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Novato are Northwest Novato, West Novato, Midwest Novato, Northeast Novato, and Southwest Novato. 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 Novato?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Novato include Central Novato, Southeast Novato, Southwest Novato, Northeast Novato, and Midwest Novato. 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 Novato?
The estimated violent crime rate in Novato is 281.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 26% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 356 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.0 per 100K (19% below average); aggravated assault at 184.0 per 100K (31% below average); robbery at 61.3 per 100K (17% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Novato?
The estimated property crime rate in Novato is 1,273.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 31% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 79 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 172.2 per 100K (36% below average); larceny/theft at 854.9 per 100K (39% below average); vehicle theft at 246.0 per 100K (23% below average).
How does Novato crime compare to the national average?
Novato's overall crime rate is 29% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (6% below average), while larceny/theft is 39% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Novato has lower crime than 61% of them.
Is Novato safe to visit?
Novato is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 31% 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 Northwest Novato, West Novato, Midwest Novato.
How does Novato crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Novato's crime rate is 29% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Novato?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Novato, with an estimated rate of 854.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 39% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,273 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (281 per 100K) in Novato, which is consistent with national trends.