What are the safest cities in California? As one of the largest states in the United States, California is famous for its beautiful landscape and diverse culture. However, there are also concerns about safety in California, such as crime rates, natural disasters, and traffic accidents. These problems have caught the attention of a wide range of people. Among many places in the state, how do you know which cities offer the highest level of security for you? Read on and take a look at the top safest cities in California we have compiled.
An Overview of Safety in California
As the most dynamic state in population and economy, California has attracted countless immigrants from all over the world. At the same time, California is also an educational powerhouse attracting many international students with its good education resources and world-class universities. However, the safety issue is still the main factor affecting many students’ choice of schools. Now let’s see the overview of safety in California.
Law and order
Though there are crimes, such as burglaries and robberies, in California, it is worth noting that most of these crimes occur in specific areas and time. It is relatively safe for university students because there are fewer crimes related directly to them.
Campus safety
Colleges and universities in California generally emphasize campus safety and have specialized campus police or security departments responsible for maintaining campus order and ensuring student safety. In addition, schools regularly hold safety education programs to enhance students’ safety awareness and self-protection abilities.
Community support
Communities in California are generally friendly to international students and offer a wealth of support and services. For example, many communities will organize volunteer activities to help international students adapt to the new environment and solve difficulties and problems in life.
Top 10 Safest Cities in California
According to the survey about the state of safety of America done by Safewise, violent crime and property crime are the top two crimes that most Californians are concerned about. Here is the list of California’s safest cities for 2025.
| Rank & Change | City | Population (2025) | Violent Crime Rate (per 1,000) | Property Crime Rate (per 1,000) | Avg. Student Rent (Studio/1BR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 (–) | Rancho Santa Margarita | 46,157 | 2025: 0.5 2024: 0.4 |
2025: 4.3 2024: 4.8 |
$2,100 – $2,600 |
| #2 (NEW) | Danville | 42,340 | 2025: 0.8 | 2025: 7.4 | $2,400 – $2,900 |
| #3 (↓11) | Aliso Viejo | 50,736 | 2025: 1.1 2024: 0.9 |
2025: 7.1 2024: 6.8 |
$2,300 – $2,800 |
| #4 (↑31) | Lincoln | 53,950 | 2025: 1.2 2024: 1.7 |
2025: 7.0 2024: 9.0 |
$1,800 – $2,200 |
| #5 (↓21) | Yorba Linda | 66,477 | 2025: 0.4 2024: 0.5 |
2025: 11.5 2024: 10.2 |
$2,200 – $2,700 |
| #6 (NEW) | Calexico | 38,108 | 2025: 1.1 | 2025: 8.2 | $900 – $1,300 |
| #7 (↓31) | Laguna Niguel | 63,502 | 2025: 1.0 2024: 0.9 |
2025: 9.9 2024: 10.5 |
$2,500 – $3,100 |
| #8 (NEW) | Simi Valley | 123,443 | 2025: 1.2 | 2025: 9.8 | $2,000 – $2,500 |
| #9 (NEW) | San Ramon | 85,627 | 2025: 1.4 | 2025: 9.4 | $2,300 – $2,800 |
| #10 (↓41) | Lake Forest | 85,533 | 2025: 1.3 2024: 1.2 |
2025: 9.9 2024: 10.6 |
$2,200 – $2,700 |
Note: Rental data is sourced from uhomes.com ‘s California property market analysis, updated in 2025. Actual prices may vary depending on the property, location, and amenities.
1. Rancho Santa Margarita
Population: 46,157
Violent crime rate: 0.5
Property crime rate: 4.3
Originally a rancho granted to Spanish settlers in the 18th century, Rancho Santa Margarita has evolved into a thriving modern suburb within Orange County. It is one of the safest and youngest cities in California. It is bordered by Mission Viejo to the west and the Cleveland National Forest to the east, a master-planned community nestled among rolling hills with stunning views.
2. Danville
Population: 42,340
Violent crime rate: 0.8
Property crime rate: 7.4
As one of the wealthiest communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, Danville’s low violent crime rate of 0.8 stems from its concentration of high-income households, outstanding school districts, and comprehensive community planning. Residents here generally possess high levels of education, fostering strong community cohesion and a natural network of mutual support among neighbours. Besides, the Danville Police Department maintains close collaboration with the community, regularly hosting safety seminars and neighbourhood patrol initiatives, embedding crime prevention within the local culture.
3. Aliso Viejo
Population: 50,736
Violent crime rate: 1.2
Property crime rate: 7.0
Aliso Viejo is Orange County’s only city that was incorporated after 2000. There are a lot of Asians living here, and the median household income is $118,540. The city is known for its rolling hills, valley faces, and picturesque views of mountains, streams, parks, and city lights, and has long ranked as one of the safest cities in California, even America.
4. Lincoln
Population: 53,950
Violent crime rate: 1.2
Property crime rate: 7.0
Originally named Lancaster, the city of Lincoln became the capital of Nebraska in 1867 and was renamed in honor of one of the greatest presidents in American history, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln is home to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Union College, and Nebraska Wesleyan University. It boasts a planetarium, art gallery, and sculpture garden, as well as the state’s history museum and art center.
5. Yorba Linda
Population: 66,477
Violent crime rate: 0.4
Property crime rate: 11.5
Yorba Linda has been recognized as one of the most livable cities in the United States. The beautiful urban environment, high quality of life, and excellent school districts, as well as the safety of the city, are all influential factors that make people want to come and live here. The 37th President of the United States, Richard Nixon, was born and grew up in Yorba Linda. The Nixon Presidential Library and Museum are in that city.
6. Calexico
Population: 38,108
Violent crime rate: 1.1
Property crime rate: 8.2
Calexico, situated on the US-Mexico border, owes its favourable security profile (violent crime rate: 1.1) to unique cross-departmental law enforcement collaboration. Local police, Border Patrol, and federal agencies form a three-tiered protective network, exerting significant deterrence against cross-border criminal activity. Residents place exceptional importance on safety, fostering a culture where ‘everyone is a security observer.’ In this safest city in California, any suspicious activity is promptly reported to law enforcement. Although property crime rates remain relatively high, community watch initiatives and rapid police response effectively minimise actual losses.
7. Laguna Niguel
Population: 63,502
Violent crime rate: 1.0
Property crime rate: 9.9
Laguna Niguel is an affluent, unified-planning city located along the San Joaquin Hills waterfront in Orange County. More than a third of the land in Laguna Nigle is used as public green space. People can go and walk in parks, such as Aliso/WoodCanyons Regional Park, Badlands Park, and Laguna Niguel Regional Park. Many communities have guards to ensure people’s security. Robust security measures make it one of the safest cities in Southern California.
8. Simi Vally
Population: 123,443
Violent crime rate: 1.2
Property crime rate: 9.8
With a violent crime rate of 1.2, Simi Valley’s longstanding reputation for one of the safest cities in California is underpinned by a stable household demographic. Here, Homeowners make up 65% of the population, and since many residents have lived here for over a decade, a strong sense of community belonging has developed. The police force employs a “community-oriented policing” model that prioritises prevention over reaction, fostering trust through initiatives such as youth sports programmes and neighbourhood coffee forums.
9. San Ramon
Population: 85,627
Violent crime rate: 1.4
Property crime rate: 9.4
San Ramon is considered a Silicon Valley commuter town. Its urban infrastructure incorporates the principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) from the design phase, featuring open-block layouts, intelligent lighting systems, and a comprehensive video surveillance network. The Business Security Alliance, developed in collaboration between corporate headquarters such as Chevron and the police, applies enterprise-grade security technology to public safety domains. This public-private partnership model provides the city with security safeguards that transcend traditional policing.
10. Lake Forest
Population: 85,533
Violent crime rate: 1.3
Property crime rate: 9.9
Lake Forest is bordered by Irvine on the west side of the city. With convenient transportation, the development of Irvine has also led to the booming growth of Lake Forest. Nowadays, more and more people are working in Irvine and living in Lake Forest. Compared to Irvine, it has cheaper housing price and lower land taxes. Besides, it is also one of the safest places to live in California.
How to Stay Safe in California
Many believe that California’s safety problems are rooted in a rapidly growing population and social dysfunction. As people migrate and move, the structure of society is constantly changing. Environmental problems and resource shortages brought about by the urbanization and industrialization of California have also increased safety concerns. So how to keep safe in California? Here are some tips.
1. Increase awareness of personal precautions
Raising your awareness of personal precautions is an important part of ensuring your personal safety. In your daily life, it is important to develop good habits to minimize potential risks.
- Whether you stay home alone or go out, keep an eye on your surroundings and others.
- Try to avoid going out alone at night. If you must go out, choose a crowded and brightly lit place.
- Carry necessary items with you, such as cell phone rechargeable batteries, emergency contact information, and small self-defence tools.
2. Protect yourself at social events
Participating in social activities is an important way to expand your relationships, but you also need to be aware of self-protection to reduce potential risks.
- Try to go to parties with familiar friends and do not make contact with strangers easily.
- Tell friends where you are going when you go out and keep your cell phone open to make it easier to contact them.
- Set reasonable time limits for socializing and don’t return to your house too late.
3. Make emergency response programs
Whether you are studying or living, you may encounter unexpected situations. It is important to have a plan in advance.
- Prepare an emergency contact list of family and friends in case you are in an emergency.
- Familiarize the location of nearby hospitals and clinics and write down contact numbers for quick medical attention.
- Have a clear escape route and a meeting point in your place of residence so that you can react quickly in the event of an emergency such as a fire.
4. Assess the environment of community
Choosing the right living environment is important to ensure personal safety. A thorough assessment should be conducted when deciding where to rent.
- Use online resources, such as crime statistics websites, to learn about the policing situation in the target area.
- Visit the community in person and talk to local residents to find a safe house to live in.
- Find a reliable and trustworthy roommate to share the stresses and risks of living together if you do not want to live alone.
- With the help of a reliable rental platform, such as uhomes.com, you can eliminate risk factors and find a house that you are satisfied with.
5. Know the traffic rules
- Whether you are walking or driving, follow traffic rules strictly to avoid accidents.
- Don’t expose your valuables and pay attention to the movement of the passengers around you when you take the bus or subway.
6. Watch out for personal information and property
- Set complex passwords and update them regularly to minimize the risk of theft.
- Do not click on unknown links or download attachments at will to avoid getting infected with viruses or phishing scams.
- When using public Wi-Fi, encrypt the connection through a VPN to improve online privacy protection.
Conclusion
This blog listed the top 20 safest cities in California. Most of them are located in southern California. Rancho Santa Margarita is hailed as the safest city in the Golden State with remarkably low rates of violent and property crimes. Other cities in the top tier of safety include Danville, Moorpark, Aliso Viejo, Yorba Linda, Laguna Niguel, Poway, and Mission Viejo. These rankings not only provide valuable insights but also serve as a useful guide for individuals and families seeking to relocate or invest in safe communities within the state. Besides, we provide the tips to keep safe in California to help you protect yourself better.
FAQ
Where is the cheapest but safest place to live in California?
Clovis is the cheapest but safest place to live in California.
Clovis is one of the top 20 safest cities in California in 2024. Compared to other cities like Rancho Santa Margarita and Aliso Viejo, it is also an affordable city in the state with lower housing prices and cost of living.
What is the safest city in America?
According to WalletHub’s 2024 “America’s Safest Cities” list, South Burlington, Vermont, was named the safest city in the United States.
The top 10 safest cities in America are listed below:
- South Burlington, Vermont
- Casper, Wyoming
- Warwick, Rhode Island
- Burlington, Vermont
- Boise, Idaho
- Yonkers, New York
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Columbia, Maryland
- Portland, Maine
10. Virginia Beach, VA
Which is safer, northern or southern California?
Most of the top 20 safest cities are located in southern California. Cities in southern California are more urban and coastal, with larger populations and more densely populated areas. This can make governments spend more on security administration and provide a safer living environment for residents.
