University Of California-santa Barbara, CA Crime Rate & Safety

University Of California-santa Barbara, CA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 17% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 212 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 30 chance for property crime. University Of California-santa Barbara has lower crime than 47% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

University Of California-santa Barbara 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 University Of California-santa Barbara is strongly recommended.

The estimated violent crime rate in University Of California-santa Barbara is 471.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 24% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 212 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.0 per 100K (20% above average); aggravated assault at 262.4 per 100K (2% below average); robbery at 95.5 per 100K (29% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in University Of California-santa Barbara is 3,306.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 80% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 30 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 288.8 per 100K (7% above average); larceny/theft at 2,328.8 per 100K (66% above average); vehicle theft at 688.5 per 100K (116% above average).

University Of California-santa Barbara's overall crime rate is 17% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (219% above average), while assault is 2% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, University Of California-santa Barbara has lower crime than 47% of them.

University Of California-santa Barbara is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 80% 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.

California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. University Of California-santa Barbara's crime rate is 17% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in University Of California-santa Barbara, with an estimated rate of 2,328.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 66% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,306 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (471 per 100K) in University Of California-santa Barbara, which is consistent with national trends.