San Juan Capistrano, CA Crime Rate & Safety

San Juan Capistrano, CA has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 36% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 514 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 131 chance for property crime. San Juan Capistrano has lower crime than 70% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

San Juan Capistrano is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. Approximately 100% of the city's 87 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, San Juan Hills Estates is one of the safest areas, while Village San Juan has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting San Juan Capistrano is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in San Juan Capistrano are San Juan Hills Estates, Mission Creek, San Juan Creek, Mission Springs, and Cancun. 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 Juan Capistrano include Village San Juan, San Juan Mobile Estates, Capistrano Garden Homes, Capistrano Villas, and Capistrano Royale. 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 Juan Capistrano is 194.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 49% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 514 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.4 per 100K (32% below average); aggravated assault at 143.9 per 100K (46% below average); robbery at 31.2 per 100K (58% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in San Juan Capistrano is 761.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 58% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 131 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 121.6 per 100K (55% below average); larceny/theft at 491.3 per 100K (65% below average); vehicle theft at 148.2 per 100K (54% below average).

San Juan Capistrano's overall crime rate is 36% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is murder (32% below average), while larceny/theft is 65% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, San Juan Capistrano has lower crime than 70% of them.

San Juan Capistrano is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 58% 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 San Juan Hills Estates, Mission Creek, San Juan Creek.

California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. San Juan Capistrano's crime rate is 36% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in San Juan Capistrano, with an estimated rate of 491.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 65% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (761 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (195 per 100K) in San Juan Capistrano, which is consistent with national trends.