Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, San Rafael, CA has a Safety Score of 19/100 — higher crime than 81% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,015.1 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,399 of 2,971 US cities and #205 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is San Rafael, California Safe?
Nestled in Marin County, San Rafael is a Bay Area city with a rich history, home to Mission San Rafael Arcángel, one of California's original missions. Its diverse population of over 60,000 residents reflects a blend of suburban charm and urban accessibility.
San Rafael has a safety score of 19/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,015.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
San Rafael ranks #205 out of 264 cities in California and #2399 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 San Rafael is robbery, at 149.1 per 100K — 1.6x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.3x the national rate.
Year over year, San Rafael's total crime rate increased by 12.3%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
San Rafael Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 330 | 559.0 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 1.7 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 30 | 50.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 88 | 149.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 211 | 357.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,450 | 2,456.1 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 156 | 264.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,045 | 1,770.1 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 249 | 421.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
San Rafael vs California Average
How does San Rafael's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | San Rafael | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 559.0 | 518.0 | +7.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,456.1 | 2,161.3 | +13.6% |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 4.4 | -61.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,015.1 | 2,679.3 | +12.5% |
San Rafael Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for San Rafael, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 58,512 | 3,659.1 | 391.4 | 3,267.7 |
| 2019 | 58,819 | 3,257.5 | 391.0 | 2,866.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Rafael, California safe?
San Rafael has a safety score of 19/100, meaning it has less crime than about 19% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,015.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, San Rafael is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in San Rafael, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, San Rafael has a violent crime rate of 559.0 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,456.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does San Rafael compare to the national average?
San Rafael's total crime rate of 3,015.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 59,037 residents.
What types of crime are most common in San Rafael?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in San Rafael include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is San Rafael safe to visit?
Like any city, San Rafael has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 19/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.