The 20 Safest Places to Live in California
Finding the right location to live that suits your needs and lifestyle is a big decision with many factors to consider. A location that suits one person will not necessarily suit the next, as everyone has different priorities when choosing a location. One factor to consider is safety, and for many people, this is one of the most important considerations. There are many people who do not want to live in an area with high crime rates, so they seek out locations that are considered safe. If this applies to you, here are the 20 safest places to live in California.
20. Buellton
Buellton is a small town in Santa Barbara County with a population of fewer than six thousand residents. This town is known for its parks, and it has a sparse suburban vibe. In the last reporting year, there were 985 property crimes and 57 violent crimes per one thousand people in this town. In addition to being a safe place to live, Buellton has many other features that make it an appealing location. It has a diverse community, plenty of employment opportunities, excellent amenities, lots of leisure options, and outstanding public schools. On the downside, the cost of living is high.
19. Lincoln
Located in Placer County, Lincoln is a suburb of Sacramento. It is home to almost 47 thousand residents, and it is considered one of the safest places to live in the state. Over the last year, there were 72 reported violent crimes and 864 property crimes. Some of the best features of this suburb are the diverse community, the outdoor activities, the decent schools, and the job opportunities. Like many areas in California, there are high living costs in Lincoln.
18. Moorpark
If you want to live close to Los Angeles, then one of the best suburbs of this city is Moorpark. One reason this is such a great place in which to live is the low crime rates, with 88 violent and 703 property crimes per one hundred thousand people. Although property prices and the cost of living are high, there are many things about this suburb that make it worthwhile considering. It has highly rated schools, a vibrant nightlife, and a diverse community.
17. Rancho Santa Margarita
The violent crime rate in Rancho Santa Margarita is 94 per one hundred thousand people compared to 645 property crimes. Rancho Margarita is a suburb of Irvine in Orange County, and it has a population of just under 49 thousand people. It has a dense suburban feel, and there are lots of parks, restaurants, and coffee shops. There is plenty to do for people of all ages, and this suburb boasts highly-rated schools, a diverse community, and job opportunities in various sectors.
16. Tiburon
If you want to live close to San Francisco, then Tiburon is a good option as it is a suburb of the city that offers a fantastic lifestyle and is considered a safe place to live due to the low crime rates. It also has outdoor activities to enjoy, good nightlife, great public schools, and employment opportunities across multiple sectors. It is an area that appeals to most groups, including families, retirees, and young professionals. The two negatives to consider are the high cost of living and steep property prices. If you can afford the costs, then you may find that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
15. Hillsborough
Hillsborough is a suburb of San Francisco in San Mateo County, and it has a population of just over 11 thousand. This is considered a safe place to live in, but it is also ranked as one of the best places to live in California when other factors are considered. In the last year, there were 77 violent crimes and 777 property crimes for every one hundred thousand people. There are excellent public schools and plenty of family activities, so it is a great location for families. However, it also suits retirees and young professionals. It has a buzzing nightlife, a diverse community, job opportunities in multiple sectors, and good transport links. The only negative is the high cost of living in this area.
14. Los Altos Hills
Los Altos Hills is a suburb of San Jose in Santa Clara County, says Niche. Not only is it one of the safest places to live, but it is also considered one of the best places to live overall as it has a lot of appealing features. There are highly-rated schools, lots of family and outdoor activities, good transport links, health and fitness facilities, and many employment opportunities. The downside to living in Los Altos Hills is the high cost of living and the expensive property prices. In terms of crime rates, there were 554 property crimes and 80 violent crimes per one hundred thousand people in the last reporting year.
13. Los Altos
A suburb of San Jose in Santa Clara County, Los Altos, has over 30 thousand residents. Housing is expensive in this area, and the cost of living is high. However, these are the only downsides to living in Los Altos. It has a diverse community, outstanding schools, a vibrant nightlife, and plenty of leisure activities to enjoy for people of all ages. The data from the last reporting year shows that there were 41 violent crimes and 916 property crimes per one hundred thousand people.
12. Sierra Madre
With a population of under 11 thousand residents, Sierra Madre is a small city in Los Angeles County that sits at the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, just below the southern edge of the Angeles National Forest. The resident of this city believe it is a good place to live because of the above-average public school, the sense of community, and the range of activities to enjoy in the area. It is also one of the safest places to live as both violent and property crime rates are low.
11. Saratoga
Located in Santa Clara County, Saratoga is a suburb of San Jose. Niche says that this suburb has a population of just under 31 thousand. This suburb has a sparse suburban feel, and it has parks, restaurants, and coffee shops. There were just 30 violent crimes and 763 property crimes per one hundred thousand people in this suburb. In addition to the low crime rates, this area boasts highly-rated public schools, a vibrant nightlife, an assortment of job opportunities, and an array of leisure activities to enjoy.
10. Villa Park
It is little wonder that Villa Park makes it onto the list of the safest places to live in California as it had no violent crimes in the last reporting year. Due to the lack of violent crimes, Villa Park has risen rapidly up the list of safest places since last year. However, there were 965 property crimes per one hundred thousand people. Overall, it is a very safe city, and this is just one of the reasons why residents love living in this small city in Orange County. It is a fantastic place to live for people who love the outdoors and want to live somewhere with pleasant surroundings while still having access to a good range of amenities and leisure activities. The area is particularly well known for the Santiago Creek Trail. Although it has city status, Villa Park is home to around six thousand people, which is a low population.
9. Kensington
In the last reporting year, just two violent crimes were recorded in Kensington, and it also has very low property crime rates. Kensington I a Bay Area city that is home to both affluent people and to students. Therefore, it has a diverse community and an interesting vibe. There are plenty of things to enjoy in this city, including Tilden Regional Park. This park has a golf course, and kayaking on the lake is one of the most popular activities.
8. Ione
One of the most notable features of Ione is its top-notch parks, and those who live in this city enjoy spending time outdoors. It is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Sacramento in Amador County, and it has a population of fewer than eight thousand people. Ione is one of the cities that has consistently ranked one of the safest places to live in California in recent years. In this city, the annual crime figures are 53 violent crimes and 713 property crimes per one hundred thousand residents.
7. Lafayette
A suburb of Oakland in Contra Costa County, Lafayette has a population of just over 26 thousand. This area has high property prices and a high cost of living. However, the residents also earn significantly more than the national average. Despite being an expensive place to live, it has plenty of other appealing features, not least the low crime rates. The crime rates are approximately ten times lower than the national average crime rate. Some of Lafayette’s other best features include outstanding public schools, nightlife options, a diverse community, job opportunities, and a range of leisure activities in and around the area.
6. Morago
Located in Contra Costa County, Moraga is a suburban incorporated town with a population of almost 18 thousand residents. While it ranks sixth in the safest places to live, property crimes have risen, so it has dropped down the rankings from previous years. However, both property and violent crimes remain low in this location.
5. Palos Verdes Estates
Alarms.org says that the overall crime rate in Palos Verdes Estates is 4.78 crimes per one thousand people. Property crimes are 4.78 per thousand, while there are 0.5 violent crimes. It is a master-planned city in Los Angeles County on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. This coastal city has stunning beaches, and it is popular amongst people who enjoy watersports.
4. Laguna Woods
Its coastal location means that Laguna Woods is a place that will appeal to those who want to enjoy a beach lifestyle and love spending time outdoors. It is considered a beautiful place to live, and there are lots of activities to enjoy in the area. In terms of crime, there are just 61 violent crimes and 665 property crimes per one hundred thousand people. This town has a population of just over 16 thousand people, and covers a small area of only 3.1 miles square.
3. Danville
Danville is a town in the San Ramon Valley in Contra Costa County, and it has a population of just over 45 thousand people. In this town, there are just 35 violent crimes and 721 property crimes per one hundred thousand people annually. Safety in the area has increased dramatically in recent years, so it is making its way up the rankings.
2. Orinda
Sitting in the second position of the safest places to live in California is Orinda, which is a suburb of Oakland in Contra Costa County. It has a sparse suburban fell, and it is home to around 19 thousand residents. It is popular with both families and retirees, as there are excellent public schools, lots of employment opportunities, various styles and sizes of houses, a diverse community, and an interesting nightlife. Like many of the best places to live in California, the cost of living and the property prices in this area are high.
1. Imperial
According to Home Snacks, Imperial is the safest place to live in California. This ranking is based on the most recent FBI data. Located just four miles north of El Centro, Imperial has low rates relating to both property and violent crime. There are just 50 violent crimes and 428 property crimes per one hundred thousand people. Another reason to consider relocating to this location is its outdoor spaces, and the area is known for its abundance of bird species. Therefore, it will appeal to nature lovers and those who enjoy spending time outdoors.