Santa Monica, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 46% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Santa Monica Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Santa Monica has a crime rate that is 15% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 311.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like North of Montana earn an A safety grade, while Pico rates B-. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Santa Monica.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 311
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
16% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 59
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
8% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Santa Monica 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
|
80 | -20% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
95 | -5% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
66 | -34% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
37 | -63% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Santa Monica Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Santa Monica?
Safety varies dramatically across Santa Monica's 9+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 9Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 8Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 9 neighborhoods in Santa Monica
All Santa Monica Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North of Montana | A | 81 |
| 2 | Northeast | A | 87 |
| 3 | Ocean Park | A- | 165 |
| 4 | Wilshire / Montana | A- | 171 |
| 5 | Sunset Park | B+ | 129 |
| 6 | Mid-City | B | 153 |
| 7 | Downtown Santa Monica | B- | 197 |
| 8 | South Beach | B- | 198 |
| 9 | Pico | B- | 161 |
Santa Monica Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Santa Monica zip codes.
Santa Monica Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Santa Monica, CA?
Santa Monica, CA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 15% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 311 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 59 chance for property crime. Santa Monica has lower crime than 46% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Santa Monica, CA safe to live in?
Santa Monica has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Approximately 100% of the city's 9 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, North of Montana is one of the safest areas, while Pico has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Santa Monica is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Santa Monica?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Santa Monica are North of Montana, Northeast, Ocean Park, Wilshire / Montana, and Sunset Park. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Santa Monica?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Santa Monica include Pico, Downtown Santa Monica, Mid-City, Sunset Park, and Wilshire / Montana. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Santa Monica?
The estimated violent crime rate in Santa Monica is 321.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 16% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 311 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.0 per 100K (20% below average); aggravated assault at 256.0 per 100K (5% below average); robbery at 48.6 per 100K (34% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Santa Monica?
The estimated property crime rate in Santa Monica is 1,688.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 8% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 59 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 193.1 per 100K (28% below average); larceny/theft at 1,248.3 per 100K (11% below average); vehicle theft at 246.8 per 100K (23% below average).
How does Santa Monica crime compare to the national average?
Santa Monica's overall crime rate is 15% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (5% below average), while rape is 63% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Santa Monica has lower crime than 46% of them.
Is Santa Monica safe to visit?
Visitors to Santa Monica should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 8% 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 North of Montana, Northeast, Ocean Park.
How does Santa Monica crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Santa Monica's crime rate is 15% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Santa Monica?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Santa Monica, with an estimated rate of 1,248.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 11% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,688 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (321 per 100K) in Santa Monica, which is consistent with national trends.