San Francisco, CA Crime Rate & Safety

San Francisco, CA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 40% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 184 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 32 chance for property crime. San Francisco has higher crime than 85% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

San Francisco has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 82% of the city's 34 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Glen Park is one of the safest areas, while Chinatown has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting San Francisco is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in San Francisco are Glen Park, Crocker Amazon, West of Twin Peaks, Presidio Heights, and Presidio. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in San Francisco include Chinatown, Downtown / Civic Center, Financial District, Nob Hill, and North Beach. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in San Francisco is 543.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 43% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 184 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.2 per 100K (44% above average); aggravated assault at 385.7 per 100K (44% above average); robbery at 107.3 per 100K (45% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in San Francisco is 3,083.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 68% 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 306.7 per 100K (14% above average); larceny/theft at 2,265.7 per 100K (62% above average); vehicle theft at 510.9 per 100K (60% above average).

San Francisco's overall crime rate is 40% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (62% above average), while burglary is 14% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, San Francisco has higher crime than 85% of them.

Visitors to San Francisco should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 68% 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 Glen Park, Crocker Amazon, West of Twin Peaks.

California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. San Francisco's crime rate is 40% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical California city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in San Francisco, with an estimated rate of 2,265.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 62% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,083 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (544 per 100K) in San Francisco, which is consistent with national trends.