C+
27%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
49%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
42%
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.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleSanta Clara/100k peopleCalifornia/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime3,540n/a (estimate)2,6842,5642,119
Murder2n/a1.54.55.0
Rape26n/a19.736.637.5
Robbery76n/a57.6119.160.6
Assault136n/a103.1325.8256.1
Violent crime240n/a (estimate)182486359
Burglary445n/a337.4305.8229.2
Theft2,336n/a1,771.01,345.21,272.1
Vehicle theft519n/a393.5427.5258.8
Property crime3,300n/a (estimate)2,5022,0781,760

Santa Clara crime map

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The Santa Clara crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara, CA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Santa Clara crime rate is 26.6% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Santa Clara, there were 240 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 182 per 100,000 individuals, 49.3% lower than the national average. Additionally, Santa Clara recorded 3300 property crimes, amounting to 2502 per 100,000 residents, 42.1% higher than the U.S. average.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Santa Clara?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Santa Clara residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 41 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 73% of Santa Clara 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, 27% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Santa Clara a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Santa Clara 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, Santa Clara has an overall crime rate that is 27% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 9.7 daily occurrences, comprising 0.66 violent crimes and 9.04 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Santa Clara as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Santa Clara Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Santa Clara has increased by 0.9%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Santa Clara, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 16.5%, while property crime has increased by 0%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Santa Clara is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Santa Clara

Santa Clara has a population density of 7068.8 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Santa Clara crime rates.

In Santa Clara, 90.4% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Santa Clara, the average rental rates are $3,855 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444.

Compare Santa Clara, CA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Santa Clara crime rates are 27% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Santa Clara are 49% lower than the national average
      • In Santa Clara you have a 1 in 38 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Santa Clara is safer than 34% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Santa Clara has decreased by 14%

      Santa Clara, CA Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Santa Clara

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        Daily Crime In Santa Clara (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Santa Clara, per 100,000 residents. In Santa Clara, the total number of daily crimes is 1.05 times more than the California average and 1.27 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Santa Clara are 2.67 times less than the California average and 1.97 times less than the national average. For property crime, Santa Clara has a daily crime rate that is 1.20 times more than the California average and 1.42 times more than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Santa Clara (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Santa Clara, California compared to other areas of California, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Santa Clara safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Santa Clara is safer than 59% of California cities, and 34% compared to all other cities across America. These statistics are calculated by taking a closer look at each city's crime rate in California, as well as the rest of the US. It is then determined which cities see less crime than Santa Clara. At this time, Santa Clara sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Santa Clara

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Santa Clara is 1 in 550
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Santa Clara is 1 in 40
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Santa Clara is 1 in 38
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Santa Clara, California? If you reside in Santa Clara, then there is a 1 in 550 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 40. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 38 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Santa Clara.

        Year Over Year Crime In Santa Clara (per 100,000 people)

        A good indicator of whether Santa Clara is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Santa Clara has decreased by 13%, while the property crime rate in Santa Clara has decreased by 15% year over year. The number of total crimes in Santa Clara has decreased by 14% year over year.

        Santa Clara police department

        Item Santa Clara California National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)20151,506558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.73.63.3
        There are a total of 201 Santa Clara police officers. This results in 1.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 53.4% less than the California average and 48.2% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in California

        State Total offenders California /100K National /100K
        California79,891232266
        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
        Ladera, CA1,42268292360
        Fruitdale, CA1,22668292360
        Lexington Hills, CA2,74576326402
        Los Altos Hills, CA8,67049358408
        Loyola, CA3,52693396488
        West Menlo Park, CA3,81893396488
        Cambrian Park, CA3,13693396488
        Santa Clara, CA130,1271822,5022,684

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Simi Valley, CA130,3071299241,053
        Pearland, TX130,314961,4401,536
        Topeka, KS129,7278573,6434,499
        Abilene, TX129,3864241,7632,188
        Thousand Oaks, CA131,1081021,0211,123
        Santa Clara, CA130,1271822,5022,684
        Source: The Santa Clara, 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.