Violent
Property
Total
Modesto, CA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 218,990
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Modesto, California Safe?
Modesto has a safety score of 44/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,070.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Modesto ranks #209 out of 264 cities in California and #2422 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 19th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 81% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Modesto is aggravated assault, at 483.1 per 100K — 1.5x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.5x the national rate.
Year over year, Modesto's total crime rate increased by 6.7%, with violent crime rising 1.4%.
Modesto Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,436 | 655.7 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 7 | 3.2 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 123 | 56.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 248 | 113.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,058 | 483.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 5,288 | 2,414.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 585 | 267.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 3,983 | 1,818.8 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 720 | 328.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Modesto vs California Average
How does Modesto's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Modesto | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 655.7 | 518.0 | +26.6% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,414.7 | 2,161.3 | +11.7% |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 4.4 | -27.3% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,070.5 | 2,679.3 | +14.6% |
Modesto Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Modesto, California.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 218,990 | 3,070.5 | 655.7 | 2,414.7 |
| 2023 | 217,778 | 2,876.3 | 647.0 | 2,229.3 |
| 2022 | 219,083 | 3,180.5 | 764.1 | 2,416.4 |
| 2020 | 216,560 | 3,206.0 | 740.2 | 2,465.8 |
| 2019 | 216,542 | 4,129.0 | 811.9 | 3,317.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Modesto, California safe?
Modesto has a safety score of 44/100. With a total crime rate of 3,070.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Modesto is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Modesto, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Modesto has a violent crime rate of 655.7 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,414.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Modesto compare to the national average?
Modesto's total crime rate of 3,070.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 218,990.
What types of crime are most common in Modesto?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Modesto include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Modesto safe to visit?
Like any city, Modesto has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 44/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.