Sacramento, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 88% of major U.S. cities
Safety varies across 159+ neighborhoods — Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Sacramento Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Sacramento has a crime rate that is 51% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 185.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Natomas Creek earn an A+ safety grade, while Del Paso Heights rates D-. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Sacramento.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 185
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
42% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 32
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
70% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Sacramento 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
|
154 | +54% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
143 | +43% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
140 | +40% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
132 | +32% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
131 | +31% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
160 | +60% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
164 | +64% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Sacramento Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Sacramento?
Safety varies dramatically across Sacramento's 159+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 10Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 159 neighborhoods in Sacramento
All Sacramento Neighborhoods
Sacramento Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Sacramento zip codes.
Sacramento Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Sacramento, CA?
Sacramento, CA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 51% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 185 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 32 chance for property crime. Sacramento has higher crime than 88% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Sacramento, CA safe to live in?
Sacramento has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 79% of the city's 159 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Natomas Creek is one of the safest areas, while Del Paso Heights has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Sacramento is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Sacramento?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Sacramento are Natomas Creek, Village 12, Creekside, Regency Park, and North Natomas VIllage. 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 Sacramento?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Sacramento include Del Paso Heights, Woodbine, Southern Pacific / Richards, Natomas Corporate Center, and Upper Land Park. 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 Sacramento?
The estimated violent crime rate in Sacramento is 540.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 42% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 185 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.7 per 100K (54% above average); aggravated assault at 384.1 per 100K (43% above average); robbery at 103.8 per 100K (40% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Sacramento?
The estimated property crime rate in Sacramento is 3,111.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 70% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 32 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 353.2 per 100K (31% above average); larceny/theft at 2,237.0 per 100K (60% above average); vehicle theft at 521.7 per 100K (64% above average).
How does Sacramento crime compare to the national average?
Sacramento's overall crime rate is 51% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (64% above average), while burglary is 31% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Sacramento has higher crime than 88% of them.
Is Sacramento safe to visit?
Visitors to Sacramento should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 70% above 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 Natomas Creek, Village 12, Creekside.
How does Sacramento crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Sacramento's crime rate is 51% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Sacramento?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Sacramento, with an estimated rate of 2,237.0 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 60% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,112 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (540 per 100K) in Sacramento, which is consistent with national trends.