Violent
Property
Total
Monterey, CA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 28,792
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Monterey, California Safe?
Monterey has a safety score of 60/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,170.7 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Monterey ranks #141 out of 264 cities in California and #1904 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 36th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 64% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Monterey is rape, at 66.0 per 100K — 1.5x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Monterey's total crime rate decreased by 5.6%, with violent crime declining 16.3%.
Monterey Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 112 | 389.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 19 | 66.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 18 | 62.5 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 73 | 253.5 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 513 | 1,781.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 79 | 274.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 407 | 1,413.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 27 | 93.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Monterey vs California Average
How does Monterey's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Monterey | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 389.0 | 518.0 | -24.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,781.7 | 2,161.3 | -17.6% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.4 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,170.7 | 2,679.3 | -19.0% |
Monterey Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Monterey, California.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28,792 | 2,170.7 | 389.0 | 1,781.7 |
| 2023 | 29,269 | 2,299.4 | 464.7 | 1,834.7 |
| 2022 | 29,709 | 2,652.4 | 380.4 | 2,272.0 |
| 2020 | 28,209 | 3,541.4 | 340.3 | 3,201.1 |
| 2019 | 28,337 | 3,716.0 | 275.3 | 3,440.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monterey, California safe?
Monterey has a safety score of 60/100. With a total crime rate of 2,170.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Monterey is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Monterey, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Monterey has a violent crime rate of 389.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,781.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Monterey compare to the national average?
Monterey's total crime rate of 2,170.7 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 28,792.
What types of crime are most common in Monterey?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Monterey include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Monterey safe to visit?
Like any city, Monterey has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 60/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.