San Luis Obispo, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 56% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is San Luis Obispo Safe?
Mostly yes — San Luis Obispo is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
San Luis Obispo has a crime rate that is 25% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 320.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 320
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
18% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 54
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
2% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
San Luis Obispo 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
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
98 | -2% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
91 | -9% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
98 | -2% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
94 | -6% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
San Luis Obispo Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
San Luis Obispo Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific San Luis Obispo zip codes.
San Luis Obispo Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in San Luis Obispo, CA?
San Luis Obispo, CA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 25% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 320 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 54 chance for property crime. San Luis Obispo has lower crime than 56% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is San Luis Obispo, CA safe to live in?
San Luis Obispo is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting San Luis Obispo is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in San Luis Obispo?
The estimated violent crime rate in San Luis Obispo is 312.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 18% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 320 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.5 per 100K (10% below average); aggravated assault at 205.0 per 100K (24% below average); robbery at 72.4 per 100K (2% below average).
What is the property crime rate in San Luis Obispo?
The estimated property crime rate in San Luis Obispo is 1,868.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 2% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 54 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 194.5 per 100K (28% below average); larceny/theft at 1,373.8 per 100K (2% below average); vehicle theft at 300.6 per 100K (6% below average).
How does San Luis Obispo crime compare to the national average?
San Luis Obispo's overall crime rate is 25% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (2% below average), while burglary is 28% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, San Luis Obispo has lower crime than 56% of them.
Is San Luis Obispo safe to visit?
San Luis Obispo is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 2% 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.
How does San Luis Obispo crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. San Luis Obispo's crime rate is 25% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in San Luis Obispo?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in San Luis Obispo, with an estimated rate of 1,373.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 2% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,869 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (312 per 100K) in San Luis Obispo, which is consistent with national trends.