Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, El Cajon, CA has a Safety Score of 42/100 — higher crime than 58% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,934.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,713 of 2,971 US cities and #114 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is El Cajon, California Safe?
Nestled in a valley east of San Diego, El Cajon boasts a rich history as a stop along the old wagon trails. Today, it's a diverse community with a significant Chaldean American population, reflecting its unique cultural tapestry.
El Cajon has a safety score of 42/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,934.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
El Cajon ranks #114 out of 264 cities in California and #1713 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 42nd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 58% of US cities.
Year over year, El Cajon's total crime rate decreased by 2.6%, with violent crime declining 7.4%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
El Cajon Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 443 | 434.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 27 | 26.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 108 | 105.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 308 | 302.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,530 | 1,500.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 157 | 154.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,105 | 1,083.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 268 | 262.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
El Cajon vs California Average
How does El Cajon's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | El Cajon | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 434.4 | 518.0 | -16.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,500.3 | 2,161.3 | -30.6% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.4 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,934.6 | 2,679.3 | -27.8% |
El Cajon Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for El Cajon, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 101,983 | 1,934.6 | 434.4 | 1,500.3 |
| 2023 | 103,569 | 1,986.1 | 469.3 | 1,516.9 |
| 2022 | 104,693 | 2,081.3 | 468.0 | 1,613.3 |
| 2021 | 102,665 | 2,386.4 | 532.8 | 1,853.6 |
| 2020 | 103,035 | 2,288.5 | 496.9 | 1,791.6 |
| 2019 | 103,686 | 2,505.6 | 532.4 | 1,973.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Cajon, California safe?
El Cajon has a safety score of 42/100, meaning it has less crime than about 42% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,934.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, El Cajon is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in El Cajon, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, El Cajon has a violent crime rate of 434.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,500.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does El Cajon compare to the national average?
El Cajon's total crime rate of 1,934.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 101,983 residents.
What types of crime are most common in El Cajon?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in El Cajon include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is El Cajon safe to visit?
Like any city, El Cajon has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 42/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.