Find the Safest Places to Live in California

As one of the most populous states in the United States, with over 39 million residents, it's no surprise that California has a lot of crime. In 2021, 1,052,283 crimes were reported in the state. Of these, 183,546 were violent crimes, 857,599 were property crimes, and 11,138 were incidents of arson. However, there are still plenty of safe places to live in California.

If you're interested in finding the safest neighborhoods in California, keep reading. Our guide will go over the most popular cities in California and explain which of their neighborhoods are safe.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles tends to have more crime than surrounding areas because it's so large. It has 32 crimes per 1,000 residents: 7.4 violent crimes and 24.6 property crimes. When looking for the safest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, check out areas in the northwestern part of town. These are the safest neighborhoods in Los Angeles:

• University of California Los Angeles
• Bell Canyon
• Mulholland Park
• Braemar Estates
• Northridge
• Reseda
• Averill Park
• Brentwood
• Woodland Hills

San Francisco

San Francisco's crime rate is higher than state averages, so it can take a little effort to find safe spots to live. There is a 1 in 186 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in San Francisco and a 1 in 20 chance of being a victim of property crime. If you're looking for the safest places in this part of California, check out these neighborhoods:

• Parkside
• Merced Manor
• Oceanview
• Sherwood Forest
• Outer Mission South

San Diego

Situated right near the Mexican border, San Diego is one of the safest cities in southern California. This town has 3.96 violent crimes and 19.32 property crimes per 1,000 people, so its crime rates are slightly lower than the rest of the state. Though downtown areas have some crime, a lot of neighborhoods in northern San Diego are very safe. Here are some of the neighborhoods with the lowest crime rates:

• Barrio Logan East
• Midway District Southeast
• Fort Rosecrans
• Balboa Park
• Miramar
• University of San Diego
• Rancho Encantada

Sacramento

California's capital tends to have more than the normal issues with crime. This area is popular for its stunning nature and somewhat affordable cost of living, but the downside is an unusually high violent crime rate of 6.74 violent crimes and 31.93 property crimes per 1,000 residents. There is a 1 in 148 chance of being a victim of violent crime in Sacramento. Luckily, there are still some neighborhoods with lower crime rates. Consider checking out these options:

• Vineyard East
• Greenbriar
• Sundance Lake
• Del Dayo Estate
• Churchill Downs
• Creekside
• Fruitridge Industrial Park

San Jose

If you live in this tech hub, you might be at risk for some crimes. Though San Jose's crime rates aren't shockingly bad, they're still a little higher than some other areas. There is a 1 in 38 chance of becoming a victim of a property crime, like burglary or motor vehicle theft, and a 1 in 228 chance of experiencing a violent crime.

San Jose tends to be safer along the outskirts of town. Popular neighborhoods with low crime rates include:

• Almaden
• Chaboya
• San Felipe
• Silver Creek
• Evergreen

Benefits of home automation and home security systems in California

Whether you live in one of the safest neighborhoods in California or not, automated home systems can be a huge help. The right security and automation service provides you with all sorts of benefits.

• Peace of mind: With a home security system, you never have to wonder, "Did I leave the door unlocked?" Security sensors that connect to a convenient app let you easily check up on your home. You can see whether you remembered to close windows and check to see whether anything's gone wrong.
• Protection from natural disasters: With our safety alarms, you'll always know if something goes wrong. Our system will notify you if it detects things like leaks, fire, or smoke. You can get to safety and stop small problems from ruining your whole house.
• Prevent crimes and catch criminals: Vivint's security camera packages offer you an incredibly effective way of deterring crimes. People are less likely to steal packages or break in because they know you can catch them on tape and make it easy for the police to find them.
• Enhanced convenience: Smart home automation systems easily sync all your home systems into one convenient hub. You can adjust lights, change temperatures, check who's at the door, and more. Whether you're out of town on vacation or relaxing in bed, you can manage your home with ease.

Home security systems FAQ

Here are a few helpful details to know about Vivint's California home security systems.

How does professional installation work?

Our installation team will come out and cover every detail of assembling, mounting, and connecting your system. We handle basics like securing cameras to your doorway, and we also deal with details like syncing new products to your home hub.

Which products work with Vivint?

The Vivint app and smart hub seamlessly connect with a lot of other third-party products. You can integrate Vivint with options like Google Home, Amazon Echo, and Nest thermostats.

How can I reduce my risk of car theft?

If you're worried about motor vehicle theft, we recommend our outdoor cameras. Smart Deter technology identifies dangerous loiters lurking near your car and plays a loud sound to scare them away. Our alarms will also alert you, so you can check up on your car.

How many security sensors do I need?

The exact number of sensors depends on your home's layout. Usually, we suggest one for every window and door. Our consultants are happy to inspect your home and create a list of recommended products for your needs.

Summing it all up

Ultimately, there are a lot of safe spots in California to live in. Especially in rural areas or suburbs, your risks of violent crime or theft are a lot lower. However, it's still a wise decision to protect your home. Being proactive and adding a home security system makes it easier to safeguard your family and your belongings.

At Vivint, we're dedicated to helping California residents stay safe. Whether your concern is fire, flood, burglaries, or package thieves, our products give you the tools you need to protect your home. To schedule a free consultation with the Vivint Smart Home Pros, contact us today at 855.822.1220.