Violent
Property
Total
Berkeley, CA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 117,400
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Berkeley, California Safe?
Berkeley has a safety score of 1/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 5,868.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Berkeley ranks #259 out of 264 cities in California and #2908 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 2nd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 98% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Berkeley is motor vehicle theft, at 912.3 per 100K — 2.6x the national average.
Year over year, Berkeley's total crime rate decreased by 12.4%, with violent crime declining 5.7%.
Berkeley Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 751 | 639.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 7 | 6.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 54 | 46.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 219 | 186.5 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 470 | 400.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 6,139 | 5,229.1 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 776 | 661.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 4,292 | 3,655.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,071 | 912.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Berkeley vs California Average
How does Berkeley's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Berkeley | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 639.7 | 518.0 | +23.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,229.1 | 2,161.3 | +141.9% |
| Murder Rate | 6.0 | 4.4 | +35.5% |
| Total Crime Rate | 5,868.8 | 2,679.3 | +119.0% |
Berkeley Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Berkeley, California.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 117,400 | 5,868.8 | 639.7 | 5,229.1 |
| 2023 | 116,595 | 6,697.5 | 678.4 | 6,019.1 |
| 2022 | 114,872 | 6,224.3 | 580.7 | 5,643.7 |
| 2020 | 122,346 | 4,963.8 | 439.7 | 4,524.1 |
| 2019 | 122,788 | 5,598.3 | 503.3 | 5,095.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berkeley, California safe?
Berkeley has a safety score of 1/100. With a total crime rate of 5,868.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Berkeley is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Berkeley, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Berkeley has a violent crime rate of 639.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 5,229.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does Berkeley compare to the national average?
Berkeley's total crime rate of 5,868.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 117,400.
What types of crime are most common in Berkeley?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Berkeley include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Berkeley safe to visit?
Like any city, Berkeley has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 1/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.