Palm Desert, CA Crime Rates: Stats & Map

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D

49%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

10%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

61%

Property crime NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Palm Desert_{/100k people}	California_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	1,645	n/a (estimate)	3,151	2,564	2,119
Murder	0	n/a	0.0	4.5	5.0
Rape	11	n/a	21.1	36.6	37.5
Robbery	41	n/a	78.5	119.1	60.6
Assault	117	n/a	224.1	325.8	256.1
Violent crime	169	n/a (estimate)	324	486	359
Burglary	233	n/a	446.3	305.8	229.2
Theft	1,129	n/a	2,162.6	1,345.2	1,272.1
Vehicle theft	114	n/a	218.4	427.5	258.8
Property crime	1,476	n/a (estimate)	2,827	2,078	1,760

Palm Desert crime map

The Palm Desert crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Palm Desert as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Palm Desert crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Palm Desert crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.

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An Overview of Crime Rates in Palm Desert, CA

The Palm Desert crime rates are 48.7% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 169 violent crimes in Palm Desert (324 per 100,000 people), which is 9.9% lower than the national average and there were a total of 1476 property crimes (2827 per 100,000 residents) which is 60.6% higher than average.

When it comes to violent crimes per 100,000 people, Palm Desert maintains a rate that is very similar to the national average. With 324 reported violent crimes, it falls in line with the national average of 359. This alignment suggests that Palm Desert shares a similar crime profile with other cities, highlighting its comparable level of safety within the broader urban landscape.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Palm Desert reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Palm Desert?

What do the local residents think about crime in Palm Desert? Well, based on a recent survey of 47 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 68% of Palm Desert residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 32% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Palm Desert a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Palm Desert, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Palm Desert presents a total crime rate that is 49% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Palm Desert experiences an average of 4.51 daily crimes, comprising 0.46 violent incidents and 4.04 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Palm Desert Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Palm Desert crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Palm Desert has decreased by 2.6% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 35.2% and property crime has decreased by 5.6%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Palm Desert

In Palm Desert, the cost of living is 41.07% higher than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Palm Desert has a median home price of $657,068, deviating from the national average of $326,622. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Palm Desert, the average monthly rent stands at $2,067, while the national average is $1,444 per month.

Homes For Sale In Palm Desert, CA

76891 Turendot St

Palm Desert, CA

42811 Edessa St

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72856 Roy Emerson Ln

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197 White Horse Trl

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Compare Palm Desert, CA Crime

Crime Quick Facts

Palm Desert crime rates are 49% higher than the national average
Violent crimes in Palm Desert are 10% lower than the national average
In Palm Desert you have a 1 in 32 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Palm Desert is safer than 19% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Palm Desert has decreased by 19%

Palm Desert, CA Crime Quiz

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Daily Crime In Palm Desert (per 100,000 people)

The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Palm Desert, per 100,000 residents. In Palm Desert, the total number of daily crimes is 1.23 times more than the California average and 1.49 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Palm Desert are 1.50 times less than the California average and 1.11 times less than the national average. For property crime, Palm Desert has a daily crime rate that is 1.36 times more than the California average and 1.61 times more than the daily national average.

How Safe is Palm Desert (higher is better)

Are people any safer living in Palm Desert in comparison to other California communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Palm Desert safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Palm Desert being safer than 35% of cities in California and 19% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking California cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Palm Desert. In conclusion, Palm Desert ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Palm Desert

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Palm Desert is 1 in 309

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Palm Desert is 1 in 36

The chance of being a victim of crime in Palm Desert is 1 in 32

Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Palm Desert, California? If you reside in Palm Desert, then there is a 1 in 309 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 36. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 32 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Palm Desert.

Year Over Year Crime In Palm Desert (per 100,000 people)

An analysis of year to year crime rates in Palm Desert, California (per 100,000 people) is a useful indicator of whether the area is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live. The amount of violent crime in Palm Desert has increased by 17%, the amount of property crime in Palm Desert has decreased by 22%, and the total amount of crime in Palm Desert has decreased by 19% year over year.

Palm Desert police department

Item	Palm Desert	California	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	n/a	51,506	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	n/a	3.6	3.3

Sex offenders in California

State	Total offenders	California_/100K	National_/100K
California	79,891	232	266

There are a total of 79,891 sex offenders in California. This yields a total of 232 sex offenders in California per 100,000 residents which is 13% less than the national average.

Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Desert Palms, CA	6,788	239	1,021	1,259
Vista Santa Rosa, CA	2,134	262	1,120	1,382
Thermal, CA	1,406	272	1,163	1,434
Sky Valley, CA	2,328	276	1,179	1,455
Cathedral City, CA	56,625	283	1,220	1,504
Indian Wells, CA	5,595	205	1,411	1,616
Coachella, CA	46,858	299	1,541	1,840
Palm Desert, CA	54,248	324	2,827	3,151

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Delano, CA	54,257	344	1,112	1,456
Watsonville, CA	54,199	399	1,182	1,581
Olympia, WA	54,379	565	3,435	4,000
Pensacola, FL	54,052	231	1,229	1,460
Revere, MA	54,523	445	1,535	1,980
Palm Desert, CA	54,248	324	2,827	3,151

Source: The Palm Desert, CA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.