Ocean City, NJ Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 80% of major U.S. cities
Safety varies across 11+ neighborhoods — Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Ocean City Safe?
Yes — Ocean City is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Ocean City has a crime rate that is 43% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 492.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like OC Homes earn an A+ safety grade, while Bay Area rates A-. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Ocean City.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 492
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
47% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 112
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
51% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Ocean City 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
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
35 | -65% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
30 | -70% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
42 | -58% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
37 | -63% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Ocean City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Ocean City?
Safety varies dramatically across Ocean City's 11+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 10Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 4Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 11 neighborhoods in Ocean City
All Ocean City Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OC Homes | A+ | 152 |
| 2 | Bay Landings | A+ | 100 |
| 3 | Merion Park | A+ | 30 |
| 4 | Riviera | A+ | 129 |
| 5 | Gardens | A+ | 98 |
| 6 | South End | A+ | 171 |
| 7 | 18th - 34th | A | 195 |
| 8 | Gold Coast | A | 196 |
| 9 | North End | A | 129 |
| 10 | Central | A- | 160 |
| 11 | Bay Area | A- | 138 |
Ocean City Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Ocean City zip codes.
Ocean City Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Ocean City, NJ?
Ocean City, NJ has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 43% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 492 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 112 chance for property crime. Ocean City has lower crime than 80% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Ocean City, NJ safe to live in?
Ocean City is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. Approximately 100% of the city's 11 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, OC Homes is one of the safest areas, while Bay Area has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Ocean City is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Ocean City?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Ocean City are OC Homes, Bay Landings, Merion Park, Riviera, and Gardens. 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 Ocean City?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Ocean City include Bay Area, Central, North End, and 18th - 34th. 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 Ocean City?
The estimated violent crime rate in Ocean City is 203.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 47% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 492 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.2 per 100K (57% below average); aggravated assault at 165.4 per 100K (38% below average); robbery at 25.6 per 100K (65% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Ocean City?
The estimated property crime rate in Ocean City is 896.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 51% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 112 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 112.4 per 100K (58% below average); larceny/theft at 665.9 per 100K (52% below average); vehicle theft at 118.2 per 100K (63% below average).
How does Ocean City crime compare to the national average?
Ocean City's overall crime rate is 43% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (38% below average), while rape is 70% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Ocean City has lower crime than 80% of them.
Is Ocean City safe to visit?
Ocean City is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 51% 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 OC Homes, Bay Landings, Merion Park.
How does Ocean City crime compare to the rest of New Jersey?
New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Ocean City's crime rate is 43% below the national average, making it safer the typical New Jersey city.
What type of crime is most common in Ocean City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Ocean City, with an estimated rate of 665.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 52% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (897 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (203 per 100K) in Ocean City, which is consistent with national trends.