Top 15 Most Dangerous Cities in California in 2024
Go Back To Previous PageKey Findings
Emeryville is the most dangerous city in California, with an alarmingly high violent crime rate of 2,356 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 520% greater than the national average.
The second most dangerous city in California is Commerce, experiencing a violent crime rate of 1,553 per 100,000 people. The third most perilous city in California is Oakland, which has a violent crime rate of 1,547 per 100,000 residents.
Furthermore, Oakland is recognized as the murder capital of California, recording 126 homicides in 2023.
Are California Cities Dangerous?
California is home to some of the most dangerous cities in the United States. It is also more hazardous than many other states, with a violent crime rate of 498 per 100,000 residents, which is 25% higher than average.
California has the highest robbery rate in America, at 124 per 100,000 residents, representing a 98% increase over the national average. Even more concerning is that California’s violent crime rate has been steadily rising since 2020, mainly due to a significant increase in assaults. Overall, residents of California face a 1 in 205 chance of becoming victims of violent crime.
15 Most Dangerous Cities in California
- Emeryville
- Commerce
- Oakland
- San Bernardino
- Stockton
- Compton
- Vallejo
- Grass Valley
- Richmond
- Barstow
- Lancaster
- Modesto
- Inglewood
- Merced
- Bakersfield
1. Emeryville
The most dangerous city in California is Emeryville, which has a violent crime rate of 2,356 per 100,000 residents. Despite its relatively small population of 12,905, the level of crime in Emeryville is significant, with property and vehicle theft being among the most frequently reported offenses.
The year 2023 saw a troubling increase in reported theft incidents, alongside over 300 reported violent crime cases.
Because Emeryville has a small population, each citizen faces roughly a 1 in 43 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime, making it the most dangerous place to live in California.
2. Commerce
Commerce is one of the most dangerous cities in California. Located in Southeast Los Angeles County, It has a2,345 residents. It is primarily red, and its crime rate is significantly higher than that of a small city with approximately one industrial and the rest of California.
The crime rate is 15,415 incidents per 100,000 residents, which exceeds the national average by 563% and is 442% higher than the state overall. The violent crime rate stands at 1,553 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 320% higher than the national rate, and the likelihood of becoming a crime victim in Commerce is 1 in 7.
3. Oakland
Oakland is considered one of the worst cities because of its exceedingly high crime rates. It is also regarded as one of the most dangerous cities in the USA. While Oakland’s crime rate has decreased since the 1990s, its statistics remain well above the national average, with the violent crime rate in the city being 392% higher than the U.S. average.
In 2023, the violent crime rate was 1,547 per 100,000 residents, 8% higher than the previous year. Additionally, Oakland has the highest murder rate in California. California due
Vehicle theft, property theft, burglary, and assault are the most common types of crime reported in the city. Drug-related offenses are also common as Oakland is dealing with an ameth epidemic, making it one of the worst drug cities in California. Gun violence is another significant problem in many areas of the city. Much of the gun violence in Oakland can be attributed to gang activity.
Situated in Alameda County, Oakland serves as a key commerce hub in the East Bay, with a population of 440,646; Oakland ranks as the third-largest city in the Bay Area and the eighth-largest city in California. Area. With a po
4. San Bernardino
San Bernardino is one of the most dangerous cities in California. With a population of 222,101, it has a violent crime rate of 1,310 per 100,000 people, which is 331% higher than the national average. Violent crimes like robbery and murder have increased by as much as 39% from 2017 to 2022.
While property crime has decreased since 2017, crimes such as aggravated assault have surged by as much as 145% since then, making San Bernardino one of the worst cities.
5. Stockton
Stockton is among the most dangerous cities in California’s Central Valley region. Located in San Joaquin County, the city has a population of 320,804. Stockton’s crime rate significantly exceeds both the national and state averages. In 2023, the violent crime rate was reported at 1,260 incidents per 100,000 people, meaning the likelihood of becoming a victim is 1 in 79. Stockton’s high rate of violent crime is 319% above the national average.
Property crime rates are significantly higher than those in other cities of similar size, with over 9,350 reported incidents in 2023.
6. Compton
Compton ranks among the most dangerous cities in California. It is located in the South Los Angeles region and has a population of 97,740. In 2022, Compton’s violent crime rate reached 1,105 per 100,000 people, which is 279% higher than the national average.
The city experiences a high incidence of homicides, robberies, and aggravated assaults. Despite successful initiatives to combat crime, Compton remains a hazardous place to reside in 2024.
7. Vallejo
Vallejo is another city in California that has been grappling with high crime rates for many years. With a population of 124,886, Vallejo has a violent crime rate of 966 per 100,000 people, which is 244% higher than the national average.
Residents of Vallejo face a 1 in 100 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime each year. The most prevalent types of violent crimes in Vallejo are aggravated assault and robbery, while common property crimes include burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.
Crime is pervasive in Vallejo, affecting its residents’ safety and well-being. Although the city has made some progress in reducing crime, it is still one of California’s most dangerous cities.
8. Grass Valley
Grass Valley is considered one of the most dangerous cities in California. It is located in the center of the Sierra Nevada foothills, about an hour outside Sacramento, and has a population of 13,614. Originally a mining town during the California gold rush, Grass Valley was once one of the wealthiest towns in the region. However, it has experienced a decline over time, resulting in increased crime rates. It reports one of the highest auto theft rates in California.
The violent crime rate in Grass Valley is 237% higher than the national average. Your chances of becoming a crime victim are 1 in 24.
9. Richmond
Richmond, located in the San Francisco Bay area, has one of the highest crime rates in California. With a population of 110,567, it may be a more affordable option near San Francisco. However, the city has a reputation for violent crime. In 2023, the violent crime rate was 921 per 100,000 people, a whopping 233% higher than the national average. In the same year, thousands of reported vehicle and property theft incidents occurred.
While Richmond may be safer than neighboring Oakland, the city is still one of the most dangerous places in California and the Bay Area. Residents generally consider the northeastern part of the city safer, with a significant concentration of crime occurring in the “Iron Triangle,” or the central part of the city. With so much crime, Richmond is one of the worst areas in California to live in if safety is a concern.
10. Barstow
Barstow ranks among California’s most hazardous cities. It is located in San Bernardino County at the heart of the Mojave Desert and serves as a key commercial center for the Inland Empire. With a population of around 25,000, this tranquil desert town hosts several military installations, including the Marine Corps Logistics Base and the US Army Training Center at Ft. Irwin. However, despite its military presence, Barstow has one of the nation’s highest crime rates for a city of size.
The overall crime rate is 3,401 incidents per 100,000 residents, 46% above the national average. Additionally, its violent crime rate exceeds the national rate by 194%, making Barstow more dangerous than 96% of cities across the United States.
11. Lancaster
Lancaster ranks among the worst cities in California due to its high violent crime rate. Located in the Antelopeest Mojave Desert in northern Los Angeles County, Lancaster is a diverse city with an affordable cost of living.is 173,516, making it the 30th largest city in California. Unfortunately, it also faces significant crime issues, with a crime rate notably higher than the national average.
The violent crime rate in Lancaster is 135% above the U.S. average, and the murder rate is 21% higher. Your chances of being a victim of crime in Lancaster are 1 in 37.
12. Modesto
Modesto is also considered one of the most dangerous cities in California. With a population of approximately 219,000, it has a violent crime rate of 742 per 100,000 people, which is 188% higher than the national average. The most prevalent crimes in Modesto are property crime and theft.
According to FBI statistics from 2023, Modesto recorded over 5,000 incidents of property crime and more than 1,600 incidents of violent crime. The city is notorious for having one of the highest car theft rates in California. In 2023, there were 2,087 car thefts, or 389 per 1,000 people, far surpassing the national average.
13. Inglewood
Inglewood is one of the most dangerous cities in California. Located in southwestern Los Angeles County, it has a population of 107,762 residents according to the 2020 census. Although it is part of the Los Angeles metro area and often considered a neighborhood of LA, Inglewood is its own incorporated city with a unique history and cultural identity that distinguishes it. However, it has a higher crime rate compared to the rest of the country.
The total crime rate stands at 3,564 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 53% higher than the national average and 22% higher than in the rest of California. The violent crime rate is 80% higher than that of the United States, while the property crime rate is 48% higher. The likelihood of becoming a crime victim in Inglewood is 1 in 29.
14. Merced
Located south of Modesto, Mercedne is one of the worst cities in California in terms of crime. Situated in the Central Valley, Merced has a population violent crime rate of 599 per 100,000 residents. The homicide rate in Merced stands at 12.3 per 100,000 people, which is the highest in the state, earning the city the title of murder capital of California.
Since the 1990s, crime rates in Merced have remained consistently high, keeping the city historically ranked among the most violent metropolitan areas in the country. While property crimes in Merced decreased by as much as 20% by 2020, violent crimes have seen a sharp increase. From 2019 to 2023, murders in Merced nearly doubled according to FBI statistics for those years.
15. Bakersfield
Bakersfield ranks among the most dangerous cities in California. It has a population of approximately 405,000 and is near California’s San Joaquin Valley. The violent crime rate in Bakersfield reached 498 per 100,000 in 2023, which is 27% higher than the national average. However, not everything about Bakersfield is negative; it’s also one of California’s most affordable places to live. Therefore, if you find a safer neighborhood in the city, you can enjoy a low cost of living.
In 2023, there were over 15,300 incidents of property crime in Bakersfield. However, according to Bakersfield Now, a local news agency, the city saw a 30% decrease in homicides in 2022 from 2020. Much of the violence in Bakersfield can be attributed to gang activity, which has been a growing problem for many years.
With an overall crime rate of 94% above the national average, Bakersfield certainly has a reputation for being one of California’s more dangerous cities.
Methodology For Determining the Most Dangerous Cities in California
To determine the most dangerous cities in California in 2024, we looked at crime cities, including theft, burglary, and murder rates per capita. While large cities like Los Angeles may report more crime, some smaller towns have a higher proportion of criminal incidents, making them statistically more violent.
This data has been gathered from the latest statistics of cities and towns provided by the FBI Uniform Crime Report and information released by city and county governments.
Most Dangerous Cities in California Bottom Line
While many of California’s most violent cities may appear appealing at first due to their lower real estate prices, it is essential to consider safety. You don’t want to move to a place simply because it’s affordable, only to discover you’re living in one of the worst cities in California for violent crime.
It’s also important to remember that even some of the most dangerous cities can have safe areas. In contrast, cities not on our list, like Los Angeles and San Francisco, can have extremely dangerous neighborhoods. For instance, Richmond has pockets of safety, while crime is concentrated in other areas. neighborhoods,
Georges has been working in Wall Street for the last 16 years trading derivatives with hedge funds. He has been an active real estate investor for over a decade. Georges graduated from HEC Business School in Paris and holds a master in Finance from ESADE Barcelona.
