Violent
Property
Total
East Palo Alto, CA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 27,663
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is East Palo Alto, California Safe?
East Palo Alto has a safety score of 54/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,526.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
East Palo Alto ranks #177 out of 264 cities in California and #2142 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 28th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 72% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in East Palo Alto is robbery, at 213.3 per 100K — 2.3x the national average. Conversely, burglary is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, East Palo Alto's total crime rate decreased by 6.8%, with violent crime rising 1.7%.
East Palo Alto Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 168 | 607.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 7.2 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 26 | 94.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 59 | 213.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 81 | 292.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 531 | 1,919.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 30 | 108.5 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 374 | 1,352.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 127 | 459.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
East Palo Alto vs California Average
How does East Palo Alto's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | East Palo Alto | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 607.3 | 518.0 | +17.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,919.5 | 2,161.3 | -11.2% |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 4.4 | +64.3% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,526.8 | 2,679.3 | -5.7% |
East Palo Alto Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for East Palo Alto, California.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27,663 | 2,526.8 | 607.3 | 1,919.5 |
| 2023 | 27,640 | 2,709.8 | 597.0 | 2,112.9 |
| 2022 | 27,800 | 2,956.8 | 640.3 | 2,316.6 |
| 2020 | 29,439 | 2,782.0 | 495.9 | 2,286.1 |
| 2019 | 29,686 | 2,280.5 | 485.1 | 1,795.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Palo Alto, California safe?
East Palo Alto has a safety score of 54/100. With a total crime rate of 2,526.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, East Palo Alto is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in East Palo Alto, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, East Palo Alto has a violent crime rate of 607.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,919.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does East Palo Alto compare to the national average?
East Palo Alto's total crime rate of 2,526.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 27,663.
What types of crime are most common in East Palo Alto?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in East Palo Alto include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is East Palo Alto safe to visit?
Like any city, East Palo Alto has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 54/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.