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The Top 10 Safest Cities in California with the Best Quality of Life – 2022
Safest Cities in California with the Best Quality of Life - 2022
- Last updated on: June 16, 2022
According to the FBI, the United States of America recently registered an average rate of 308 violent crimes per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 1958. The crime rate is a good indicator of how safe a city or state is. As with every other state, safety is one of the many things to consider when moving to California. According to the Office of the Attorney General, California recently registered 433.5 violent crimes and 2290.3 property crimes reported per 100,000 population. If you’re moving somewhere in the US and are looking for a state that offers a high level of security and safety, here are the Top 10 safest cities in California with the best quality of life.
Methodology
We based our ranking on the 3 following criteria: the violent-crime rate, the property crime rate, and the total crime rate (the sum of both property and violent crime rates). Statistics come from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), The UCR Program “includes data from more than 18,000 city, university and college, county, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies. Agencies participate voluntarily and submit their crime data either through a state UCR program or directly to the FBI’s UCR Program”.
We’ve used these data to rank the 10 safest cities in California while also considering their quality of life. To support our ranking, we thought it would be relevant to compare the statistics of the cities concerned with the rates of the State of California.
(*FBI & National Incident-Based Reporting System)
Top 10 safest places to live in California
1. Rancho Santa Margarita

Highly rated public schools
Rancho Santa Margarita, a suburb of Irvines, is one of the top safest cities in California. It has a violent crime rate of 0.62 per 1000 population, which is 85% lower than the average violent crime rate in California. The City is dedicated to its crime-fighting strategy and maintaining a peaceful atmosphere in the community. Living in Rancho Santa Margarita offers its residents a quiet suburban feeling with many coffee shops and parks. Most people are homeowners in Rancho Santa Margarita and the public schools in this area are highly rated.
Rancho Santa Margarita, California
2. Moorpark

Best for families
Moorpark is recognized for having the lowest number of serious crimes. Hence it is one of the safest cities in California. The total crime rate is 6.9 per 1000, which is 74% less than the average total crime rate in California. The city has six elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and one continuation school. Moorpark has a family zoo, art centers, and a number of recreational activities for families.
Moorpark, California
3. Danville

Best for the outdoorsy
Danville, a suburb of Oakland with a population of 44,605, is one of the top safest cities in California. The violent crime rate in Danville is 0.51 per 1000 people, which is 88% lower than the average crime rate in California. Residents in Danville enjoy a serene suburban environment. In Danville, you can ride your bike on the Diablo Road Trail or take your dog to the Canine Corral in the dog park. The Sycamore Valley Park offers playgrounds for kids, a fountain, a reflection pond, and an area for recreational activities like jogging and sports.
Danville, California
4. Rancho Palos Verdes

Stunning scenic views
According to its crime statistics and data, Rancho Palos Verdes has been named the fourth safest city in California. The total crime rate in Rancho Palos Verdes is 8.15 per 1000 people, which is far below the average crime rate in California. Residents in Rancho Palos Verdes enjoy quiet streets, good schools, and stunning ocean and city views. In Rancho Palos Verdes, there are a lot of coffee shops and parks, and the public schools are highly rated.
Rancho Palos Verdes, California
5. Saratoga

Small town feel
Saratoga is another safe city in California, with a population of about 27,943 individuals. The property crime rate in this city is 7.83 in 1000 people, which is 65% lower than the national property crime rate in California. In addition to its fine dining, unique shops, and distinctive cultural institutions, Saratoga is well known for its outstanding schools. Residents of Saratoga can escape Silicon Valley’s hustle and bustle while enjoying a high quality of life.
Saratoga, California
6. Aliso Viejo

Best for young families
Aliso Viejo has been named among the safest cities in California, with a violent crime rate of 0.52 per 1000 people, 87% less than California’s average violent crime rate. One of the top Aliso Viejo attractions is the world-famous Aliso Viejo Country Club golf course, which Jack Nicklaus designed. Additionally, residents enjoy the public park, with multiple tennis courts and other sports fields for various uses. As one of the most popular points of interest in Aliso Viejo, residents also have access to the picnic area and a children’s playground.
Aliso Viejo, California
7. Yorba Linda

Award-winning schools
Yorba Linda, located in Orange County with a population of 67,725, is one of the safest places to live in California. There is a violent crime rate of 0.62 per 1000 people, 85% lower than the national average violent crime rate. An award-winning public library, a black gold golf club, and an Equestrian Center can be found in Yorba Linda. Additionally, the residents enjoy award-winning schools, investment in public infrastructure, strong leadership, visionary planning, public and private partnerships, and an exceptional quality of life.
Yorba Linda, California
8. San Juan Capistrano

A charming town
Another safe city in California is San Juan Capistrano. The property crime rate is 8.2 per 1000 people, which is 64% less than California’s average property crime rate. On the other hand, the total crime rate is 9.94 per 1000 people, which is 63% lower than the average total crime rate making it one of the safest cities in California. In San Juan Capistrano, there are a lot of coffee shops and restaurants where residents enjoy Mediterranean dishes and world-class Mexican cuisine. The city has just one high school, which is highly rated, and many students attend high schools in neighboring cities.
San Juan Capistrano, California
9. Orinda

Best for the outdoorsy
Orinda, a suburb of Oakland with a population of 19,646, is one of the safest places to live in California. With a violent crime rate of 1.36 per 1000 people. It is 68% below the average violent crime rate in California. In Orinda, there are a lot of restaurants and coffee shops. The city also has impressive theaters and art centers for art lovers to enjoy. Orinda is full of lovely parks for people to relax with family and friends.
Orinda, California
10. Windsor

Best for young couples and families
Windsor is located in Sonoma County, California. It is a family-oriented community with an exceptional quality of life. The total crime rate of Windsor is 11.25 per 1000 people, which is 58% lower than the average total crime rate in California; hence it is considered one of the safest cities in California. The city pays among the lowest amount per capita for police services, yet crime rates are low compared with other communities. Residents in Windsor enjoy a wide variety of services and recreational opportunities, well-planned business areas, and a lively downtown. Windsor has excellent local schools and has access to academically competitive colleges and universities in Sonoma County.
Windsor, California
Conclusion
With a vast and diverse population, it’s no wonder why this Golden State has continued to expand its population size over the past decade. With knowledge of crime statistics, you would better understand how to move to one of the safest places to live in California. Of course, safety is not the only thing to look out for if you plan to move to California. The cost of living is also essential. Check out our list of the cheapest places to live in California.
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