7 Safest Cities in California to Live (2025 Rankings)
June 21, 2025
5 minutes
Rancho Santa Margarita ranks #1 safest in CA—0 murders/rapes, 0.4 violent crimes per 1,000.
Worried about safety in California’s varied metros? You’re not alone. With rising housing costs and news headlines highlighting crime spikes in urban cores, peace of mind is more valuable than ever.
But here’s the good news: California is home to some of the safest, most community-focused cities in the U.S., with neighborhoods where violent crime is practically nonexistent, schools excel, and family life thrives.
In this 2025 safety guide, we’ll walk through:
- The top 7 safest cities in California
- Regional breakdowns (SoCal vs NorCal)
- Crime trend charts + affordability
Let’s help you find your haven.
Safest Cities in California (2025 Rankings & Crime Stats)
| City | Violent Crime (/1k) | Property Crime (/1k) | Population | Region | Median Home Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rancho Santa Margarita | 0.4 | 4.8 | 47,000 | OC | $1.0M |
Danville | 0.5 | 6.3 | 44,000 | Bay Area | $1.2M |
Irvine | 0.49 | 8.5 | 307,000 | OC | $1.2M |
Sunnyvale | 0.62 | 9.1 | 156,000 | Bay Area | $1.6M |
Santa Clarita | 1.3 | 15.2 | 225,000 | SoCal | $800K |
Lincoln | 0.9 | 12.1 | 100,000 | NorCal | $600K |
| Clovis | 1.1 | 13.4 | 120,000 | Central CA | $450K |
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How We Ranked These Cities?
We compiled FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data, and city-by-city police department stats to assess safety. Focus areas: violent crime (murder, assault, rape) and property crime (theft, burglary).
#1 Statewide: Rancho Santa Margarita
Rancho Santa Margarita stands tall as the safest city in California for 2025, and it’s not even close. Located in Orange County, this master-planned community posts zero murders or rapes and just 0.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, according to the latest FBI data. The city boasts tree-lined streets, high-income households, and award-winning public schools, making it a top relocation spot for families who refuse to compromise on safety.
Rancho’s crime rate is 88% lower than the national average, and its small-town charm combined with suburban affluence makes it almost utopian.
Highlights:
- 0 murders/rapes in 2024
- Only 4.8 property crimes per 1,000
- Highly ranked Capistrano Unified schools
- Median home price: $1.0M
Bay Area Standouts: Danville & Sunnyvale
Danville, located in Contra Costa County, has been crowned one of the safest cities in the Bay Area for five years straight. With only 0.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and pristine, walkable downtowns, it’s the East Bay’s best-kept secret. Families flock here for its elite public schools and low-key luxury vibe.
Sunnyvale brings safety with tech proximity, minutes from Google and Apple HQs. With a crime rate under 0.62/1k violent and 9.1/1k property, it combines Silicon Valley opportunity with real neighborhood security.
Snapshot:
- Danville violent crime: 0.5/1k
- Sunnyvale's proximity to FAANG jobs
- Danville median home: $1.2M | Sunnyvale: $ 1.6 M.
Related: Best affordable cities in California
Orange County Elite: Irvine, Aliso Viejo
Irvine, a bustling SoCal tech city with over 300,000 people, manages the near-impossible: big-city energy with small-town safety. Posting only 0.49 violent crimes per 1,000, Irvine beats cities half its size. Add in the University of California, Irvine (UCI), biotech parks, and 5-star public schools, and you’ve got a magnet for safety-minded professionals.
Aliso Viejo mirrors that appeal in a tighter footprint, a favorite for young families seeking strong community and low crime.
Why OC Wins:
- Irvine property crime: 8.5/1k
- Top 10 in CA for school district performance
- Aliso Viejo: safe, suburban, modern
- Close to Laguna Beach and John Wayne Airport.
Related : Rent vs Buy in California
Safe and Affordable Picks
If you’re looking to stretch your dollar and avoid crime, these are your havens. Lincoln, near Sacramento, boasts just 0.9 violent crimes/1k with a median home around $600K. Clovis, part of Fresno County, balances affordability with small-town charm and a crime rate of just 1.1/1k. And Santa Clarita, LA County’s suburban gem, offers SoCal proximity with much lower crime than LA proper.
Budget-Safe Wins:
- Santa Clarita: 1.3/1k violent crime
- Lincoln: quiet NorCal growth corridor
- Clovis: $450K homes, 13.4/1k property crime (below state avg).
Explore related guides:
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Big-City Trends: San Diego & San Francisco
Think California’s biggest metros are all danger zones? Think again. San Diego’s homicide rate dropped by 22% in 2024, with total violent crime falling to its lowest in 15 years. San Francisco, often misjudged for its downtown troubles, has actually seen violent crime fall to a 20-year low, particularly in neighborhoods like Outer Richmond, Noe Valley, and Glen Park.
These are two of the most improved safety markets, and now sit squarely in the “urban safety comeback” trend.
Trend Breakdown:
- SD: 22% homicide drop YoY
- SF: crime down 20% from 2005 baseline
- Local law enforcement & tech crime-mapping credited.
North vs South California: What Region Wins?
Here’s the shocker: Southern California cities dominate the raw safety stats, especially Orange County. Rancho Santa Margarita, Irvine, and Aliso Viejo all fall under SoCal’s elite safety banner. But NorCal brings its own stars, Danville and Lincoln top family-safety charts with lower crime and lower prices in some cases.
Region Recap:
- SoCal: higher home prices, lower crime
- NorCal: balance of safety and value
- Central CA (Clovis) = underrated star
Compare other state winners:
Final Word: California’s Safest Cities Are More Than Stats — They’re Your Next Smart Move
When it comes to choosing a place to live in California, safety isn’t optional; it’s foundational. From Rancho Santa Margarita’s nearly crime-free streets to budget-friendly Clovis, these top 7 cities prove that peace of mind is still possible in the Golden State.
But here’s the real edge: at reAlpha, we help you move smart, with $0 commission home buying tools that slash costs, stress, and confusion. Whether you're a family relocating, a first-time buyer, or an investor looking for low-risk markets, these cities offer the rare combo of safety, affordability, and future-proof growth.
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FAQs
1. What is the #1 safest city in California in 2025?
Rancho Santa Margarita ranks as the safest city in California for 2025, with only 0.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and zero reported murders.
2. Which California cities have the lowest crime but are still affordable?
Lincoln and Clovis stand out for offering low crime and median home prices under $600K — perfect for families and first-time buyers.
3. Are there any big cities in California that are still considered safe?
Yes — Irvine is a top example. Despite a population of over 300,000, it maintains a violent crime rate under 0.5/1,000.
4. What’s the safest city in Southern California to raise a family?
Santa Clarita combines family-friendly neighborhoods, great schools, and a low violent crime rate of 1.3 per 1,000 — ideal for raising kids.
Don’t wait for prices to climb — discover SoCal safety gems on reAlpha.
5. How can I buy a home in one of California’s safest cities without paying commission?
reAlpha’ s $0 commission home buying tool lets you find, finance, and move into top-ranked cities like Danville or Rancho Santa Margarita — all while keeping more money in your pocket.
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