El Cerrito Neighborhood, San Diego
Crime Rate & Statistics
Moderate safety — crime is near or slightly above average
Safer than 3% of neighborhoods in San Diego
Safety at a Glance
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in San Diego
Is El Cerrito Safe?
Somewhat — crime here is near the national average. El Cerrito in San Diego, CA has a safety grade of C+. The overall crime index is 150, which is 50% above the national average of 100. El Cerrito is safer than 3% of neighborhoods in San Diego.
Compared to the San Diego average (crime index 102), El Cerrito is 48% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.
Looking at specific crime types, robbery is the most elevated concern (index: 190, 90% above average), while rape is the lowest risk (index: 117).
El Cerrito Crime Breakdown
Crime indices compared to national average (100) and San Diego city average. Higher values mean more crime.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
183 | +83% | High | |
|
Assault
|
134 | +34% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
190 | +90% | High | |
|
Rape
|
117 | +17% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
156 | +56% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
189 | +89% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
181 | +81% | High | |
How El Cerrito Compares
Crime index by category: El Cerrito vs San Diego average vs national average.
Crime by Category
Overall Crime Comparison
El Cerrito Crime Map
Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.
See the crime score for a specific address
El Cerrito Demographics & Context
Education
Housing
Racial Demographics
Nearby Neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in El Cerrito, San Diego?
El Cerrito in San Diego, CA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime index is 150, which is 50% above the national average. Compared to the San Diego average, crime in El Cerrito is 48% higher. El Cerrito is safer than 3% of neighborhoods in San Diego.
Is El Cerrito a safe neighborhood in San Diego?
El Cerrito has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Residents should take standard precautions. The highest concern is Robbery (index: 190), while Rape is the lowest risk (index: 117).
How does El Cerrito compare to the rest of San Diego?
El Cerrito's overall crime index is 150, compared to the San Diego average of 102. This means crime in El Cerrito is 48% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 156, and for property crime it is 175. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.
What type of crime is most common in El Cerrito?
The most prevalent crime type in El Cerrito is Robbery, with a crime index of 190 (90% above the national average). Overall, property crime is more prevalent than violent crime in this neighborhood, which is consistent with national trends.
What are safer neighborhoods near El Cerrito?
Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include Redwood Village - Rolando Park, Colina Del Sol, Rolando and College West. These areas are close to El Cerrito and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.
What are the demographics of El Cerrito?
El Cerrito has a population of approximately 6,075. The median household income is $62,931. The median home value is $595,977. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.
How does El Cerrito crime compare to the national average?
El Cerrito's overall crime rate is 50% above the national average (index 150 vs 100). Within San Diego, it is safer than 3% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.
Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.