Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, El Cajon, CA has a Safety Score of 43/100 — higher crime than 57% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,934.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,696 of 2,957 US cities and #114 of 264 in California.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than El Cajon, CA?
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 43/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,934.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
El Cajon ranks #114 out of 264 cities in California and #1696 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 43rd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 57% 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
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 443 | 434.4 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 27 | 26.5 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 108 | 105.9 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 308 | 302.0 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 1,530 | 1,500.3 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 157 | 154.0 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,105 | 1,083.5 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 268 | 262.8 | 358.0 |
| 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 |
El Cajon Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for El Cajon and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: California crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Cajon, California safe?
El Cajon has a safety score of 43/100, meaning it has less crime than about 43% 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 are larceny-theft (1,105 reported incidents) and aggravated assault (308 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 3.5x in the city.
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 43/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.