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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Salinas, CA has a Safety Score of 35/100 — higher crime than 65% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,202.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,915 of 2,957 US cities and #148 of 264 in California.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Salinas, CA?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Salinas, California Safe?
Nestled in the Salinas Valley, this agricultural hub is known as the "Salad Bowl of the World." It's the largest city in Monterey County, with a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population.
Salinas has a safety score of 35/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,202.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Salinas ranks #148 out of 264 cities in California and #1915 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 35th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 65% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Salinas is robbery, at 140.9 per 100K — 1.5x the national average. Conversely, burglary is relatively low at just 0.5x the national rate.
Year over year, Salinas's total crime rate increased by 23.4%, with violent crime rising 5.6%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Salinas Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 834 | 527.1 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 6 | 3.8 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 81 | 51.2 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 223 | 140.9 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 520 | 328.6 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 2,651 | 1,675.4 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 232 | 146.6 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,833 | 1,158.4 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 586 | 370.3 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Salinas vs California Average
How does Salinas's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | Salinas | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 527.1 | 518.0 | +1.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,675.4 | 2,161.3 | -22.5% |
| Murder Rate | 3.8 | 4.4 | -13.9% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,202.5 | 2,679.3 | -17.8% |
Salinas Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Salinas, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 158,233 | 2,202.5 | 527.1 | 1,675.4 |
| 2023 | 159,896 | 1,784.3 | 499.1 | 1,285.2 |
| 2022 | 162,187 | 2,214.1 | 521.6 | 1,692.5 |
| 2020 | 155,984 | 2,786.8 | 555.2 | 2,231.6 |
| 2019 | 156,943 | 2,749.4 | 498.9 | 2,250.5 |
Salinas Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Salinas 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 Salinas, California safe?
Salinas has a safety score of 35/100, meaning it has less crime than about 35% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,202.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Salinas is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Salinas, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, Salinas has a violent crime rate of 527.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,675.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Salinas compare to the national average?
Salinas's total crime rate of 2,202.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 158,233 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Salinas?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Salinas are larceny-theft (1,833 reported incidents) and motor vehicle theft (586 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 3.2x in the city.
Is Salinas safe to visit?
Like any city, Salinas has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 35/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.