By Eric Engelbert
Updated July 2026 | Based on FBI Crime Data and SafeWise 2026 Rankings
Identifying the safest cities in California requires looking at the full picture: violent crime rates, property crime rates, and population-adjusted data from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System. The most recent SafeWise analysis, published in January 2026, draws on FBI crime data and ranks 169 qualifying California cities. Three Orange County cities appear in the 2026 top ten: Rancho Santa Margarita, Yorba Linda, and Laguna Niguel. The list also includes cities in Contra Costa, Placer, Ventura, Imperial, San Diego, and Contra Costa counties, reflecting improving safety performance across the state.
Orange County's broader safety story goes beyond the top ten. Irvine does not appear in this year's statewide top ten, but it holds a record no other US city can match: the lowest per capita violent crime rate among cities with a population of 250,000 or more for 18 consecutive years, according to FBI data. Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, and San Juan Capistrano all continue to report crime rates well below state averages. If you are considering a move to any of the Orange County cities on this list, our team can help. Call or text: 949-430-7500
The 10 Safest Cities in California for 2026
All cities below reported fewer than 1.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Crime rates shown are violent crime (VC) and property crime (PC) per 1,000 residents, from FBI NIBRS data via SafeWise. Orange County cities are highlighted.
#1 | Contra Costa County
Danville
Danville, in the San Ramon Valley of Contra Costa County, claimed the top spot in SafeWise's 2026 rankings, moving up from second place the prior year. The city reported a violent crime rate of 0.6 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 5.9 per 1,000, both down from the year before. Danville is known for its tree-lined streets, strong school district, and a small-town atmosphere that belies its proximity to the Bay Area job market. Active neighborhood watch programs and consistent community engagement with local law enforcement have contributed to crime rates that are among the lowest in the state.
#2 | Orange County OC
Rancho Santa Margarita
Rancho Santa Margarita held the number one position in California for two consecutive years before 2026 and remains the second safest city in the state. Located in southern Orange County, it is a master-planned community surrounded by the Santa Ana Mountains and Tijeras Creek. Its violent crime rate is 0.8 per 1,000 residents and property crime rate is 5.3 per 1,000. The community's design, with connected trails, parks, and a central lake, reinforces a lifestyle that draws safety-conscious families who plan to stay long term. Strong demand and limited housing inventory reflect how sought-after this city remains.
#3 | Placer County
Lincoln
Lincoln is a fast-growing city in Placer County, about 35 miles northeast of Sacramento. Its violent crime rate dropped from 1.2 to 0.9 per 1,000 residents and its property crime rate fell from 7.0 to 5.8 per 1,000, one of the sharpest year-over-year improvements of any city on this list. That consistent improvement pushed Lincoln from fourth to third place. The city draws families priced out of the Sacramento metro with newer housing stock, good schools, and a quieter pace that is increasingly difficult to find this close to a major employment hub. Its population of about 56,000 places it squarely in the mid-size suburb category where per capita crime figures tend to be most meaningful.
#4 | Ventura County • New to Top 10
Moorpark
Moorpark is a small, primarily residential community in southeastern Ventura County with a population just over 35,000. It is a first-time entry on the statewide top ten, with a violent crime rate of 1.0 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 7.2 per 1,000. Moorpark has an agricultural heritage and a quieter character than most of the Los Angeles metro area to its south. Its appearance in the 2026 top ten reflects a consistent pattern of low reported crime over recent years, and it is notably the smallest city on this year's list by population.
#5 | Orange County OC
Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda has held a position in the California top ten for multiple consecutive years. Located in northeastern Orange County and known for its equestrian culture, hillside estates, and well-established neighborhoods, Yorba Linda combines suburban spaciousness with a strong safety record. Its violent crime rate is 1.0 per 1,000 residents and property crime rate is 7.8 per 1,000. The city is also home to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, which adds to its civic identity. Buyers looking for larger lots, top schools, and a historically low crime environment consistently find Yorba Linda worth the premium it commands over surrounding cities.
#6 | Imperial County
Calexico
Calexico sits on the US-Mexico border in Imperial County, directly adjacent to Mexicali. It held its sixth-place ranking from the prior year. With a population of about 38,000, Calexico is the only border city on this list and the only city not located near a major US metropolitan area, which makes its appearance here notable. Its violent crime rate is 1.4 per 1,000 residents and property crime rate is 6.0 per 1,000. The SafeWise methodology, which adjusts for population and requires complete FBI NIBRS reporting, levels the playing field between border communities and wealthier suburbs.
#7 | San Diego County • Up 5 Spots
Poway
Poway, known locally as "City in the Country," is a San Diego County suburb that jumped five spots to land at number seven this year. Both its violent crime rate (1.4 per 1,000) and property crime rate (6.0 per 1,000) fell from the prior year, with the property crime rate dropping from 8.5 to 6.0, one of the more significant improvements in the state. Located northeast of San Diego, Poway is a primarily residential community with a well-regarded school district, large lots that give it a semi-rural character, and a strong sense of civic identity. SafeWise noted Poway as one of only three cities that saw declines in both crime categories this year.
#8 | Orange County OC
Laguna Niguel
Laguna Niguel, perched atop the San Joaquin Hills in southern Orange County, continues to rank among the safest cities in California. Its violent crime rate is 1.2 per 1,000 residents and property crime rate is 9.0 per 1,000. The city offers a combination of scenic beauty, upscale amenities, proximity to Laguna Beach, and one of the lowest crime profiles in California. Community policing programs and neighborhood watch networks have been active for decades and contribute to a culture of safety that long-term residents cite as one of the primary reasons they stay. Laguna Niguel's housing ranges from entry-level condos to luxury hillside estates with ocean views.
#9 | Contra Costa County
San Ramon
San Ramon is a Contra Costa County city in the Tri-Valley region of the San Francisco Bay Area, about 35 miles east of San Francisco. It held its ninth-place ranking from the prior year. The city is home to Bishop Ranch, one of the largest suburban business parks in the country, with major employers including Chevron. Its violent crime rate improved from 1.4 to 0.8 per 1,000 residents year over year, a substantial drop. Property crime rose slightly to 11.0 per 1,000. San Ramon attracts households priced out of closer-in Bay Area cities while remaining within commuting distance of the region's employment base.
#10 | Ventura County • New to Top 10
Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks, in Ventura County, is a new entry to the top ten for 2026. It is the largest city on this year's list by population, with more than 122,000 residents, which makes its low per capita crime rates more meaningful. Its violent crime rate is 1.0 per 1,000 residents and property crime rate is 10.3 per 1,000. The city benefits from a strong suburban identity, an abundance of open space with more than 15,000 acres of preserved parkland within and around the city, and a civic culture that has invested in public safety for decades. Its schools are highly rated and the city draws families and retirees who prioritize a secure, lower-density lifestyle within reach of the Los Angeles metro.
Other Orange County Cities Worth Knowing
Several OC cities that have previously appeared in California's top ten continue to report crime rates well below state averages, even when the annual rankings shift. Aliso Viejo and Mission Viejo are among the most consistently low-crime cities in southern California. Lake Forest and San Juan Capistrano also maintain strong safety profiles. Irvine remains in a category of its own: no city in the United States with a population of 250,000 or more has matched its violent crime rate, and it has held that record for 18 consecutive years according to FBI data. A statewide ranking that adjusts for city size makes Irvine's numbers less visible, but the underlying data has not changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest city in California?
According to SafeWise's 2026 rankings using FBI crime data, Danville in Contra Costa County is the safest city in California. Rancho Santa Margarita in Orange County held the top spot for two consecutive years and currently ranks second. All ten cities on the list reported fewer than 1.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.
How many Orange County cities are in the top 10 safest in California?
Three of the top ten safest cities in California are in Orange County for 2026: Rancho Santa Margarita at number two, Yorba Linda at number five, and Laguna Niguel at number eight. Orange County consistently produces some of the lowest crime rates in California. Irvine remains the safest large city in the United States for the 18th consecutive year, even though it does not appear in this year's statewide top ten, which is not adjusted for city size.
Is Irvine the safest city in America?
Yes. Irvine has held the lowest per capita violent crime rate among US cities with a population of 250,000 or more for 18 consecutive years, according to FBI data. Its violent crime rate is approximately 79% below the national average, making it the safest large city in the United States by this measure.
Looking for a Home in One of These Safe Cities?
Three of California's ten safest cities are in Orange County, and our team specializes in all of them. Whether you are buying in Rancho Santa Margarita, Yorba Linda, Laguna Niguel, or anywhere else in the county, Eric Engelbert can provide current market data and local insight to help you make a confident decision.
