Is Santa Cruz Safe?
With an overall crime index of 125, Santa Cruz has a 25% higher crime rate than the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 179. However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood, with areas like University of California Santa Cruz earning an A+ grade while Upper Ocean rates C-.
Crime Index Comparison
Santa Cruz
California Avg
National Avg
100 = national average. Higher values indicate more crime.
Crime Index
125
25% above average
Violent Crime
140
40% above average
Property Crime
138
38% above average
Safe Areas
87%
Neighborhoods rated A or B
Your chance of violent crime in Santa Cruz
1 in 179
Property crime: 1 in 181
Where Is It Safe in Santa Cruz?
Safest Neighborhoods
1
A+
2
A+
3
A
4
A
5
A
6
A
7
A
8
A
9
A
10
A
University of California Santa Cruz
Median income: $90,579
Prospect Heights
Median income: $145,651
Pasatiempo
Median income: $148,593
DeLaveaga Park
Median income: $134,181
Santa Cruz Gardens
Median income: $103,250
Arana Gulch
Median income: $85,318
Natural Bridges State Beach
Median income: $88,577
Paradise Park Masonic Club
Median income: $101,673
Lower Seabright
Median income: $105,097
Lighthouse / The Circles
Median income: $90,884
Explore the Interactive Crime Map
See neighborhood-level heatmap
Check Registered Offenders
Search offenders near any address
Santa Cruz Crime Breakdown
Highest Risk
Larceny / Theft · 53% above avg
Lowest Risk
Burglary · 20% above avg
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder Violent | 139 | ▲ 39% | |
| Assault Violent | 135 | ▲ 35% | |
| Robbery Violent | 147 | ▲ 47% | |
| Burglary Property | 120 | ▲ 20% | |
| Larceny / Theft Property | 153 | ▲ 53% | |
| Vehicle Theft Property | 141 | ▲ 41% |
Violent vs Property Crime
Neighborhood Safety Distribution
All Santa Cruz Neighborhoods
Santa Cruz Crime by Zip Code
Santa Cruz Demographics & Cost of Living
Population
165,933
Median Income
$86,618
Home Value
$892,768
Median Rent
$2,038
Home Ownership
46%
Racial Demographics
White
67.4%
Black
2.5%
Hispanic
21.9%
Asian
8.5%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has an overall crime index of 125, which is above the national average of 100. Approximately 87% of neighborhoods in Santa Cruz are rated A or B for safety.
Is Santa Cruz safe to live in?
Santa Cruz has a crime safety grade of C+. Higher than average crime. Safety varies significantly by neighborhood, so it is important to research specific areas before moving.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Santa Cruz?
The safest neighborhoods in Santa Cruz based on crime data include University of California Santa Cruz, Prospect Heights, Pasatiempo, DeLaveaga Park, and Santa Cruz Gardens. These areas have the lowest crime indices in the city.
How does Santa Cruz crime compare to the national average?
Santa Cruz's overall crime index is 125 compared to the national average of 100, meaning crime is 25% higher than the typical US city.
Crime Statistics for Nearby Cities
San Jose, CA
Salinas, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara, CA
Seaside, CA
Gilroy, CA
Mountain View, CA
Watsonville, CA
Palo Alto, CA
Cupertino, CA
Morgan Hill, CA
Campbell, CA
Los Gatos, CA
Saratoga, CA
Los Altos, CA
Monterey, CA
Marina, CA
Prunedale, CA
Live Oak, CA
Pacific Grove, CA
Scotts Valley, CA
Alum Rock, CA
Soquel, CA
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