Santa Maria, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 34% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Santa Maria Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Santa Maria has a crime rate that is 2% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 284.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 284
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
8% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 49
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
11% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Santa Maria 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
|
101 | +1% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
88 | -12% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
92 | -8% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
125 | +25% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
92 | -8% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
99 | -1% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
124 | +24% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Santa Maria Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Santa Maria Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Santa Maria zip codes.
Santa Maria Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Santa Maria, CA?
Santa Maria, CA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 2% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 284 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 49 chance for property crime. Santa Maria has lower crime than 34% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Santa Maria, CA safe to live in?
Santa Maria has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Santa Maria is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Santa Maria?
The estimated violent crime rate in Santa Maria is 351.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 8% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 284 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.1 per 100K (1% above average); aggravated assault at 236.8 per 100K (12% below average); robbery at 67.9 per 100K (8% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Santa Maria?
The estimated property crime rate in Santa Maria is 2,028.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 11% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 49 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 247.8 per 100K (8% below average); larceny/theft at 1,386.4 per 100K (1% below average); vehicle theft at 394.1 per 100K (24% above average).
How does Santa Maria crime compare to the national average?
Santa Maria's overall crime rate is 2% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (25% above average), while assault is 12% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Santa Maria has lower crime than 34% of them.
Is Santa Maria safe to visit?
Visitors to Santa Maria should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 11% 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 Santa Maria crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Santa Maria's crime rate is 2% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Santa Maria?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Santa Maria, with an estimated rate of 1,386.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 1% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,028 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (352 per 100K) in Santa Maria, which is consistent with national trends.