South El Monte, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 42% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is South El Monte Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
South El Monte has a crime rate that is 12% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 286.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 286
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
8% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 74
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
26% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
South El Monte 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
|
111 | +11% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
174 | +74% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
196 | +96% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
133 | +33% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
39 | -61% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
140 | +40% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
South El Monte Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
South El Monte Demographics & Context
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in South El Monte, CA?
South El Monte, CA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 12% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 286 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 74 chance for property crime. South El Monte has lower crime than 42% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is South El Monte, CA safe to live in?
South El Monte 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 South El Monte is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in South El Monte?
The estimated violent crime rate in South El Monte is 349.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 8% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 286 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.6 per 100K (11% above average); aggravated assault at 149.5 per 100K (44% below average); robbery at 128.5 per 100K (74% above average).
What is the property crime rate in South El Monte?
The estimated property crime rate in South El Monte is 1,351.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 26% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 74 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 360.0 per 100K (33% above average); larceny/theft at 544.5 per 100K (61% below average); vehicle theft at 446.9 per 100K (40% above average).
How does South El Monte crime compare to the national average?
South El Monte's overall crime rate is 12% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (96% above average), while larceny/theft is 61% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, South El Monte has lower crime than 42% of them.
Is South El Monte safe to visit?
Visitors to South El Monte should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 26% 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.
How does South El Monte crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. South El Monte's crime rate is 12% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in South El Monte?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in South El Monte, with an estimated rate of 544.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 61% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,351 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (349 per 100K) in South El Monte, which is consistent with national trends.