Violent
Property
Total
Salinas, CA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 158,233
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Salinas, California Safe?
Salinas has a safety score of 59/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,202.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Salinas ranks #148 out of 264 cities in California and #1932 out of 2971 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%.
Salinas Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 834 | 527.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 6 | 3.8 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 81 | 51.2 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 223 | 140.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 520 | 328.6 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 2,651 | 1,675.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 232 | 146.6 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,833 | 1,158.4 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 586 | 370.3 | 352.4 |
| 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 | Population | 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salinas, California safe?
Salinas has a safety score of 59/100. With a total crime rate of 2,202.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Salinas is about average compared to the national average.
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 city has a population of 158,233.
What types of crime are most common in Salinas?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Salinas include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Salinas safe to visit?
Like any city, Salinas has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 59/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.