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Best for Safety in California

40 cities ranked · Lowest crime rates per FBI UCR — best for families sensitive to violent and property crime.

Top Cities in California

  1. #1
    C

    Modesto

    Best for Safety score 82 · MoveScore 62

  2. #2
    C

    Pasadena

    Best for Safety score 82 · MoveScore 62

  3. #3
    C

    Vallejo

    Best for Safety score 80 · MoveScore 67

  4. #4
    C

    Visalia

    Best for Safety score 80 · MoveScore 68

  5. #5
    B

    Stockton

    Best for Safety score 76 · MoveScore 77

  6. #6
    F

    Lancaster

    Best for Safety score 75 · MoveScore 48

  7. #7
    C

    Pomona

    Best for Safety score 72 · MoveScore 69

  8. #8
    B

    San Jose

    Best for Safety score 71 · MoveScore 78

  9. #9
    C

    Riverside

    Best for Safety score 69 · MoveScore 61

  10. #10
    A

    Chula Vista

    Best for Safety score 69 · MoveScore 80

  11. #11
    D

    Bakersfield

    Best for Safety score 67 · MoveScore 54

  12. #12
    D

    Escondido

    Best for Safety score 66 · MoveScore 52

  13. #13
    D

    Garden Grove

    Best for Safety score 65 · MoveScore 58

  14. #14
    C

    Santa Rosa

    Best for Safety score 65 · MoveScore 67

  15. #15
    C

    San Francisco

    Best for Safety score 62 · MoveScore 64

  16. #16
    C

    Torrance

    Best for Safety score 62 · MoveScore 61

  17. #17
    D

    Oceanside

    Best for Safety score 61 · MoveScore 54

  18. #18
    F

    San Bernardino

    Best for Safety score 60 · MoveScore 48

  19. #19
    D

    Clovis

    Best for Safety score 60 · MoveScore 54

  20. #20
    C

    Moreno Valley

    Best for Safety score 60 · MoveScore 65

  21. #21
    D

    Los Angeles

    Best for Safety score 59 · MoveScore 57

  22. #22
    B

    Fremont

    Best for Safety score 58 · MoveScore 77

  23. #23
    B

    Oakland

    Best for Safety score 58 · MoveScore 71

  24. #24
    C

    Long Beach

    Best for Safety score 58 · MoveScore 60

  25. #25
    C

    Anaheim

    Best for Safety score 56 · MoveScore 65

  26. #26
    C

    Roseville

    Best for Safety score 56 · MoveScore 66

  27. #27
    D

    Victorville

    Best for Safety score 56 · MoveScore 58

  28. #28
    C

    Sacramento

    Best for Safety score 55 · MoveScore 61

  29. #29
    F

    Hayward

    Best for Safety score 55 · MoveScore 44

  30. #30
    D

    Palmdale

    Best for Safety score 53 · MoveScore 54

  31. #31
    C

    San Diego

    Best for Safety score 50 · MoveScore 61

  32. #32
    C

    Fresno

    Best for Safety score 49 · MoveScore 61

  33. #33
    C

    Fontana

    Best for Safety score 49 · MoveScore 65

  34. #34
    D

    Oxnard

    Best for Safety score 48 · MoveScore 59

  35. #35
    F

    Santa Ana

    Best for Safety score 48 · MoveScore 46

  36. #36
    C

    Concord

    Best for Safety score 47 · MoveScore 69

  37. #37
    D

    Thousand Oaks

    Best for Safety score 46 · MoveScore 59

  38. #38
    C

    Corona

    Best for Safety score 43 · MoveScore 63

  39. #39
    F

    Simi Valley

    Best for Safety score 43 · MoveScore 47

  40. #40
    F

    Murrieta

    Best for Safety score 42 · MoveScore 47

Other California Rankings

Best Overall Cities in California

Highest MoveScore composite — safest overall balance of all six livability dimensions.

Best for Water Quality in California

Cleanest drinking water per EPA SDWIS — fewest violations, highest safety scores.

Best for Air Quality in California

Cleanest air per EPA AQS — lowest median AQI and fewest unhealthy days.

Best for Public Schools in California

Strongest public school performance per NCES/EDFacts — highest average proficiency.

Best Fiscal Health in California

Strongest municipal fiscal health per Census ASPEP — sustainable per-capita spending.

Best for Hospital Care in California

Highest-rated hospitals per CMS HCAHPS — best patient experience scores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city in California ranks highest for best for safety?

Modesto, CA ranks #1 in California for best for safety with a sub-score of 82/100 (MoveScore 62, grade C).

How many cities in California are compared?

40 California cities have enough federal data for this ranking. Cities need at least three of six sub-scores for inclusion.

How is this ranking calculated?

Lowest crime rates per FBI UCR — best for families sensitive to violent and property crime. Sub-scores are normalized to 0-100 and the highest scores rank first.

Sources: FBI UCR, EPA, NCES, Census ASPEP, CMS HCAHPS
Last updated:

California-specific ranking using the crime sub-score, normalized to 0-100. Cities need at least three federal sub-scores to be included.