Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Monterey, CA has a Safety Score of 36/100 — higher crime than 64% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,170.7 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,904 of 2,971 US cities and #141 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Monterey, California Safe?
Nestled on Monterey Bay, this coastal city is famed for Cannery Row's sardine industry past. Its population is approximately 30,000, with a significant portion of residents over 65.
Monterey has a safety score of 36/100 (Higher Crime Than 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%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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 | Coverage | 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 36/100, meaning it has less crime than about 36% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,170.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Monterey is higher-crime than most US cities.
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 data covers 28,792 residents.
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 36/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.