| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Sacramento/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 17,392 | n/a (estimate) | 3,302 | 2,564 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 45 | n/a | 8.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 182 | n/a | 34.6 | 36.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 1,012 | n/a | 192.2 | 119.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 2,737 | n/a | 519.7 | 325.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 3,976 | n/a (estimate) | 755 | 486 | 359 |
| Burglary | 2,326 | n/a | 441.6 | 305.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 8,406 | n/a | 1,596.1 | 1,345.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 2,684 | n/a | 509.6 | 427.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 13,416 | n/a (estimate) | 2,547 | 2,078 | 1,760 |
The Sacramento crime rates are 55.8% 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 3976 violent crimes in Sacramento (755 per 100,000 people), which is 110.2% higher than the national average and there were a total of 13416 property crimes (2547 per 100,000 residents) which is 44.7% higher than average.
With a violent crime rate of 755 crimes per 100,000 residents, Sacramento is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Sacramento ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 133 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.
The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Sacramento is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Sacramento reported a total of 2684 vehicle thefts, resulting in 510 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 197, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
What is the prevailing sentiment among Sacramento residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 227 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 32% of Sacramento residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 68% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.
Is Sacramento a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Sacramento has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 56%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 47.65 daily incidents, encompassing 10.89 violent crimes and 36.76 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Sacramento as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Sacramento. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Sacramento has decreased by 2.3%. Violent crimes have increased by 12.1%, while property crimes have decreased by 5.8%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
There are more than 110 different neighborhoods in the Sacramento area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in Sacramento include East Sacramento, Village 2 and Village 12. While Downtown, Midtown and Mansion Flats have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.
Sacramento reports an unemployment rate of 4.5%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Sacramento crime rates.
The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In Sacramento, 80.9% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.
Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Sacramento, the cost of living is 39.07% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
| Item | Sacramento | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 861 | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.8 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | California /100K | National /100K |
| California | 79,891 | 232 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Gold River, CA | 8,100 | 171 | 729 | 900 |
| Wilton, CA | 5,360 | 188 | 803 | 990 |
| Elk Grove, CA | 178,848 | 190 | 1,232 | 1,422 |
| Mather, CA | 4,392 | 298 | 1,274 | 1,572 |
| Roseville, CA | 143,208 | 219 | 1,420 | 1,640 |
| West Sacramento, CA | 55,617 | 294 | 1,369 | 1,663 |
| Fair Oaks, CA | 31,934 | 316 | 1,353 | 1,669 |
| Sacramento, CA | 520,516 | 755 | 2,547 | 3,302 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Mesa, AZ | 521,218 | 483 | 1,465 | 1,947 |
| Atlanta, GA | 514,426 | 176 | 905 | 1,081 |
| Kansas City, MO | 501,302 | 1,547 | 4,676 | 6,223 |
| Fresno, CA | 543,090 | 735 | 3,271 | 4,007 |
| Omaha, NE | 494,852 | 369 | 3,162 | 3,531 |
| Sacramento, CA | 520,516 | 755 | 2,547 | 3,302 |
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