| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | San Rafael/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,780 | n/a (estimate) | 3,015 | 2,564 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 1.7 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 30 | n/a | 50.8 | 36.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 88 | n/a | 149.1 | 119.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 211 | n/a | 357.4 | 325.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 330 | n/a (estimate) | 559 | 486 | 359 |
| Burglary | 156 | n/a | 264.2 | 305.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,045 | n/a | 1,770.1 | 1,345.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 249 | n/a | 421.8 | 427.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,450 | n/a (estimate) | 2,456 | 2,078 | 1,760 |

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the San Rafael crime rate is higher than the national average by 42.3%. Specifically, there were 330 violent crimes in San Rafael, equivalent to 559 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 55.7%. Furthermore, San Rafael recorded 1450 property crimes, amounting to 2456 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 39.5%.
With a total of 249 vehicle thefts last year, San Rafael has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 422 per 100,000 people. This lands San Rafael in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 238.
What do the local residents think about crime in San Rafael? Well, based on a recent survey of 37 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 46% of San Rafael residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 54% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Determining whether San Rafael is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, San Rafael has an overall crime rate that is 42% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 4.88 daily occurrences, comprising 0.9 violent crimes and 3.97 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of San Rafael as a potential place to establish residency.
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 San Rafael 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 San Rafael has decreased by 16.9% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 44.1% and property crime has decreased by 24.2%.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower San Rafael crime rates. In San Rafael, the poverty rate stands at 11.4%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. San Rafael currently has an unemployment rate of 3.5%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.
The median home price in San Rafael is $1,755,557, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
| Item | San Rafael | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 78 | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.3 | 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 |
| Black Point-Green Point, CA | 1,780 | 68 | 292 | 360 |
| Bolinas, CA | 1,265 | 68 | 292 | 360 |
| Woodacre, CA | 1,506 | 68 | 292 | 360 |
| Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, CA | 1,925 | 68 | 292 | 360 |
| Sleepy Hollow, CA | 2,446 | 76 | 326 | 402 |
| Belvedere, CA | 2,297 | 0 | 444 | 444 |
| East Richmond Heights, CA | 3,586 | 93 | 396 | 488 |
| San Rafael, CA | 61,485 | 559 | 2,456 | 3,015 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Royal Oak, MI | 61,485 | 124 | 802 | 926 |
| Taylorsville, UT | 61,503 | 231 | 1,414 | 1,645 |
| Bristol, CT | 61,512 | 58 | 958 | 1,016 |
| Woodland, CA | 61,522 | 275 | 1,419 | 1,693 |
| West Allis, WI | 61,432 | 257 | 1,978 | 2,234 |
| San Rafael, CA | 61,485 | 559 | 2,456 | 3,015 |