| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | San Francisco/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 36,334 | n/a (estimate) | 4,526 | 2,564 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 35 | n/a | 4.4 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 280 | n/a | 34.9 | 36.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 2,145 | n/a | 267.2 | 119.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 2,329 | n/a | 290.1 | 325.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 4,789 | n/a (estimate) | 596 | 486 | 359 |
| Burglary | 5,118 | n/a | 637.5 | 305.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 21,026 | n/a | 2,618.9 | 1,345.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 5,401 | n/a | 672.7 | 427.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 31,545 | n/a (estimate) | 3,929 | 2,078 | 1,760 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in San Francisco is 113.6% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 4789 violent crimes reported in San Francisco, equivalent to 596 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 66.1%. Additionally, San Francisco recorded 31545 property crimes, amounting to 3929 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 123.2%.
With a total of 4526 crimes per 100,000 people, the San Francisco crime rates stand at 113.55 higher than the national average. Consequently, the area grapples with one of the nation's highest total crime rates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for enhancing the safety and livability in San Francisco, making it a priority to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative efforts to secure a better future for residents and prospective residents.
San Francisco faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 3929 incidents per 100,000 people. This places the city among the worst 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Regrettably, the likelihood of falling victim to property crime in San Francisco stands at 1 in 26, significantly surpassing the national average. These statistics underscore the imperative need for bolstered community safety measures to mitigate property crimes and enhance the well-being of its residents.
The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and San Francisco is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, San Francisco reported a total of 5401 vehicle thefts, resulting in 673 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 149, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of San Francisco residents. Out of the respondents (540 in total), 21% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in San Francisco were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 79% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Determining whether San Francisco is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, San Francisco has an overall crime rate that is 114% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 99.55 daily occurrences, comprising 13.12 violent crimes and 86.42 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of San Francisco as a potential place to establish residency.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in San Francisco. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in San Francisco has decreased by 16.5%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 0.2%, while property crime has decreased by 18.6%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in San Francisco.
There are more than 34 different neighborhoods in the San Francisco 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 Francisco include Glen Park, Noe Valley and Crocker Amazon. While Bayview, Mission and Outer Mission 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.
San Francisco has a population density of 19147.6 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower San Francisco crime rates.
In San Francisco, the cost of living is 143.65% higher than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.
In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in San Francisco is $2,109,304, compared to a national average of $326,622.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | San Francisco | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 2,599 | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.2 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | California /100K | National /100K |
| California | 79,891 | 232 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Alhambra Valley, CA | 1,079 | 68 | 292 | 360 |
| Belvedere, CA | 2,297 | 0 | 444 | 444 |
| East Richmond Heights, CA | 3,586 | 93 | 396 | 488 |
| Marin City, CA | 3,138 | 93 | 396 | 488 |
| Foster City, CA | 34,247 | 69 | 669 | 739 |
| Kentfield, CA | 7,687 | 158 | 676 | 834 |
| Strawberry, CA | 5,466 | 158 | 676 | 834 |
| San Francisco, CA | 898,133 | 596 | 3,929 | 4,526 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Indianapolis, IN | 899,521 | 878 | 3,336 | 4,214 |
| Charlotte, NC | 903,228 | 733 | 3,705 | 4,439 |
| Columbus, OH | 914,920 | 435 | 2,653 | 3,088 |
| Fort Worth, TX | 926,371 | 458 | 2,700 | 3,158 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 934,752 | 316 | 1,682 | 1,998 |
| San Francisco, CA | 898,133 | 596 | 3,929 | 4,526 |
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