List Of Top 10 Safest Cities in California to Live in (2023)

Living in California is a dream come true for many as it boasts the largest economy of any US state, amazing weather, and a plethora of incredible places to choose from, such as the vineyards of Napa Valley or the sun-kissed beaches of Los Angeles. However, safety is a crucial aspect to consider when choosing a place to live. To assist you, here is a list of the top 10 safest cities in California for 2023 that you may want to check out.

10 Safest Cities in California

1. 1. Danville
   2. Rancho Santa Margarita
   3. Moorpark
   4. Aliso Viejo
   5. Poway
   6. Yorba Linda
   7. Rancho Palos Verdes
   8. Laguna Niguel
   9. Mission Viejo
   10. Thousand Oaks

1. Danville

Danville, situated in the San Ramon Valley, is considered to be the safest city in California, with a population of 43,582. The city boasts an exceptional safety record that is 78% lower than the California average. What’s more, Danville offers suburban living in the bay area, providing a peaceful and serene environment away from the bustling nearby urban areas. The city features excellent restaurants, coffee shops, and parks, and it is home to highly-rated public schools. All of these factors make Danville an ideal place to live in California, especially for families.

2. Rancho Santa Margarita

Located in Southern California’s Orange County, Rancho Santa Margarita is among the safest cities in California, with a population of 47,894. This city boasts an impressive 76% lower crime rate than the California average. However, the cost of living in Rancho Santo Margarita is quite high, with the average home price being $784,000, which is 216% higher than the national average. Despite this, the average income in Rancho Santo Margarita is also much higher than the national average, at $104,556.

3. Moorpark

Moorpark, situated in Southern California nearby Los Angeles, boasts a population of 37,573 and is regarded as safer than 74% of other Californian cities. With a crime rate of 662 per 100,000 residents, the chances of falling prey to criminal activities in Moorpark are just 1 in 152. Moreover, no homicides were reported in the area from 2017 to 2018. However, the average home cost here is $597,300, which is 207% higher than the US average and 39% higher than the California average. Despite the high home prices, the average income in Moorpark is $100,457, which is 82% higher than the California average.

4. Aliso Viejo 

Aliso Viejo, located in the San Joaquin Hills of California, is considered one of the safest places to live in the state. With a population of 47,825, the city has a crime rate of 810 per 100,000, making it 69% safer than the California average. The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Aliso Viejo is extremely low, at 1 in 2,134. Although the median home price in the area is 56% higher than the national average, the median income of $103,261 is also higher.

5. Poway

Poway, recognized as one of the top 10 safest cities in California, boasts a crime rate of 847 per 100,000 people, which is 64% lower than the national average. The city, with a population of 49,479, is an extremely secure place to live with almost no crimes reported, including zero murders, and only 34 assaults reported in 2021. The chances of being a victim of property crime in Poway are also minimal, with residents having only a 1 in 129 chance of being affected. Although Poway is 61% more expensive than the US average, its median income of $99,000 makes up for the higher cost of living.

6. Yorba Linda

Yorba Linda, situated in Orange County, is one of California’s safest cities, with a population of 68,017. The city has a crime rate that is 66% lower than the state average, with only 889 crimes per 100,000 people in 2022. Yorba Linda had no reported murders in the same year, with only a few robberies and assaults. The likelihood of being a victim of violent crime in Yorba Linda is 1 in 2,136. The average home price in Yorba Linda is $728,300, which is 294% higher than the US average, and the average income is $119,697.

7. Rancho Palos Verdes

Rancho Palos Verdes, situated in Los Angeles County along the Pacific Coast, is home to 41,643 residents and boasts a crime rate of 911 per 100,000 people. As of 2021, this city is considered safer than 61% of cities in the US, with no reported murders, only six robberies, and 34 assaults. However, there were 78 burglaries and 28 vehicle thefts during the same period, resulting in a 1 in 122 chance of becoming a victim of property crime.

8. Laguna Niguel

Located just south of Irvine, Laguna Niguel boasts a population of 66,759. With a crime rate of 929 per 100,000 people, it is 60% lower than the national average. The likelihood of becoming a victim of a violent crime is extremely low, with only a few murders and assaults reported. In fact, residents have a 1 in 1,570 chance of falling victim to a violent crime. While property crimes do occur, they are comparatively low, with theft being the most common type of crime. If safety is a top priority, Laguna Niguel is definitely a great place to call home.

9. Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo, situated in Orange County, is a prosperous city with a population of 94,513. It boasts a crime rate that is 62% lower than the California average, offering a safe environment for its residents. The likelihood of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Mission Viejo is only 1 in 1,319, with no occurrences of murder and only a few cases of robbery and assault reported in 2020. Furthermore, the area has a median income of $104,886, which is 90% higher than the national average, making it an affluent community.

10. Thousand Oaks

With a population of 126,823, Thousand Oaks is considered safer than 58% of the US cities, with a crime rate of 1,097 per 100,000 people. Residents here have a 1 in 1,649 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime, with only one murder, 23 robberies, and 32 assaults occurring in 2020. The odds of experiencing property crime are 1 in 95, with burglary and theft being the most common. As an affluent community, the median home price in Thousand Oaks is $837,100, which is 245% higher than the national average.

Also Read:

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• Top 10 Safest Neighborhoods to Live in Los Angeles (2023)