San Antonio, TX Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in San Antonio, TX

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in San Antonio is 156.1% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In San Antonio, there were 12935 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 883 per 100,000 individuals, 138.7% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 74288 property crimes, amounting to 5069 per 100,000 residents, 159.4% higher than the U.S. average.

In San Antonio, the crime rate stands at 5951 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 156.06%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in San Antonio that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.

With a violent crime rate of 883 crimes per 100,000 residents, San Antonio is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, San Antonio ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 114 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.

While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, San Antonio ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In San Antonio, there were a total of 230 murders, translating to 16 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.

Every year, one in 20 people fall victim to a property crime in San Antonio - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 5069 per 100,000 people, San Antonio has one of the highest property crime rates in the country. In fact, the city ranks among the worst 10% of all cities that reported crime last year.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and San Antonio ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 12364 vehicle thefts, amounting to 844 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places San Antonio within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 119.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in San Antonio?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of San Antonio residents. Out of the respondents (396 in total), 37% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in San Antonio were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 63% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is San Antonio a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if San Antonio is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. San Antonio has a total crime rate that is 156% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 238.97 daily crimes (35.44 violent daily crimes and 203.53 daily property crimes) in San Antonio.

Has Crime in San Antonio Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in San Antonio crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in San Antonio has increased by 21.8% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 18.9% and property crime has increased by 22.3%.

San Antonio Neighborhood Crime Rates

There are more than 317 different neighborhoods in the San Antonio area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in San Antonio include Inwood Homeowners, Cadillac Drive and Champions Ridge. While Villa De San Antonio, Arena District and Community Workers Council have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.

Potential Causes for Crime in San Antonio

The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower San Antonio crime rate. The poverty level in San Antonio is 17.6%, while the national average is 15.1%.

High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In San Antonio, the cost of living is 10.06% lower than the national average.

The median home price in San Antonio is $156,700, compared to the national average of $184,700. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.

San Antonio crime map