The Safest and Most Dangerous Places in Carlsbad, CA: Crime Maps and Statistics

Crime per Capita in Carlsbad

The map below displays the crime rate per 1,000 residents in Carlsbad.

 

Carlsbad, CA Map of Crime Rates
Click the map to explore
A+ B C D F
Safest Highest crime
Colorblind friendly off

C-

Overall Crime Grade™

D+
D
Other Crime Grade
A-

$38.3 million

Cost of Crime™ for Carlsbad, CA

In 2025, crime will cost $1,041 per household.

More cost data

Crime Grade's crime map highlights the safest areas in Carlsbad in green, the most dangerous in red, and moderately safe areas in yellow. Crime rates on the map are weighted based on both the type and severity of the crime. For more information on how to interpret our crime maps, see the Interpreting the Crime Maps section below.

Is Carlsbad, CA Safe?

The C- grade indicates that the rate of crime is slightly higher than that of the average US city. Carlsbad ranks in the 35th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 35% of cities but less safe than 65%. This analysis applies only to Carlsbad's official city boundaries. See the table below for nearby cities.

The crime rate in Carlsbad is 29.67 per 1,000 residents in the typical year. Carlsbad Residents generally consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Carlsbad varies by neighborhood - ranging from 1 in 16 in the northeast neighborhoods to 1 in 56 in the southeast.

When looking at total crime counts (rather than per capita rates), the northwest parts of Carlsbad, CA see the most incidents - about 900 per year. In contrast, the southwest part of the city has the fewest, with approximately 6 crimes annually.

The Cost of Crime™ in Carlsbad, CA

The total projected cost of crime in Carlsbad for 2025 is $38,275,135. This translates to approximately $391 per resident and $1,041 per household. On average, crime-related costs account for 0.5% of the median household income in Carlsbad. These figures reflect only tangible costs, which include the following:
  1. Criminal justice system costs (law enforcement, courts, and imprisonment): 56.3%
  2. Direct costs to victims (damaged property, medical expenses, and lost wages): 32.9%
  3. Lost economic contribution from offenders (time in prison or repeat offenses): 10.8%

How Much Does Crime Cost in Carlsbad Compared to Other Cities?

Carlsbad, CA: $391
Lodi, CA: $1387
Rescue, CA: $213
California: $491
USA: $464

The Cost of Crime per resident in Carlsbad is $391 per year, which is $73 less than the national average and $100 less than California's state average. Below we compare cities similar to Carlsbad:
  • In Lodi, CA, crime costs $1,387 per person, which is $997 more than in Carlsbad.
  • In Rescue, CA, crime costs $213 per person, which is $178 less than in Carlsbad

2025 Projected Cost by Type of Crime

The table below shows the total cost of crime to the residents of Carlsbad for the year 2025 along with the projected cost per resident.
Crime
Cost to Carlsbad
Cost per Carlsbad Resident
Murder
$4.67 million
$48
Rape/Sexual Assault
$2.90 million
$30
Robbery
$2.85 million
$29
Assault
$7.40 million
$76
Kidnapping
$592,222
$6
Vehicle Theft
$6.30 million
$64
Burglary
$3.12 million
$32
Theft
$6.71 million
$69
Arson
$622,157
$6
Vandalism
$1.24 million
$13
Animal Cruelty
$19,332
$0
Drug Crimes
$1.57 million
$16
Identity Theft
$288,817
$3
Total Cost of Crime
$38,275,135
$391

The Intangible Cost of Crime in Carlsbad, CA

CrimeGrade primarily focuses on tangible costs, but the true impact of crime extends beyond economic. Pain and suffering for victims and their families are difficult to quantify, but research-based methodologies help estimate these effects. Using these methodologies, we calculate that the intangible cost of crime in Carlsbad totals $48,438,188 ($495 per resident). When added to the tangible costs, this brings the total estimated cost of crime to $86,713,323 ($885 per resident). All Cost of Crime facts are based on scholarly research done on the cost of crime. Read more about our methodology here.

Interpreting the Crime Maps

When interpreting the Carlsbad crime map, keep in mind that crime rates are measured per resident. Areas with high visitor traffic, such as shopping districts, may appear to have higher crime rates simply because more crimes occur where people gather - even if few residents live there. For example, the northwest part of the city has more retail establishments, which can artificially inflate crime rates in that area. Red areas on the map do not necessarily mean a neighborhood is unsafe for residents.

More issues arise with places like airports, parks, and schools. Major airports always look like high-crime locations due to the large number of people and the low population nearby. Parks and designated recreational areas, of which Carlsbad has 29, have the same problem. Of Carlsbad’s 97,953 residents, few live near recreational areas. Because many people visit, crime rates may appear higher even for safe parks. Crime occurs where people gather, whether they live there or not. Before assuming an area is unsafe, consider both per-capita crime rates and total crime counts, as well as the types of destinations nearby.

To better understand and navigate these intricate crime maps, a high-speed internet connection can be crucial. Fast and seamless online connectivity ensures that map details load efficiently, providing users with clearer, uninterrupted insights. If you're considering enhancing your online experience, check out high speed internet in Carlsbad, CA at ISP Reports.

Carlsbad Crime Breakdown

The tables below show which crimes are used to calculate the Crime Grades above. All crime rates are shown as the number of crimes per 1,000 Carlsbad residents in a standard year.

Violent Crime Rates

Crime Type
Crime Rate
Assault
2.629
Robbery
0.9263
Rape
0.4878
Murder
0.0254
Total Violent Crime
4.069 (D+)
 
 

 


Property Crime Rates

Crime Type
Crime Rate
Theft
13.23
Vehicle Theft
4.151
Burglary
3.512
Arson
0.2630
Total Property Crime
21.15 (D)
 
 

 


Other Crime Rates

Crime Type
Crime Rate
Kidnapping
0.0997
Drug Crimes
2.160
Vandalism
1.777
Identity Theft
0.3809
Animal Cruelty
0.0267
Total "Other" Rate
4.444 (A-)

 


Crime Maps and Rates for Nearby Cities

Compared to surrounding cities, the rate of crime in Carlsbad is similar. The table below shows Crime Grades for cities close to Carlsbad.

Nearby City
Overall Crime Grade
Violent Crime Grade
Property Crime Grade
C
C
D+
D
D+
D-
C
C
D
C+
C
C-
D+
D+
D-
C-
C-
D
C+
C-
C-
C
C
D+
D+
D-
D
C+
C-
C-

Crime Maps and Rates for City with Similar Populations

Carlsbad is lower versus other cities of the same size for crime. The table below compares crime in cities with comparable overall population in the city‘s boundaries.

Similar City
Overall Crime Grade
Violent Crime Grade
Property Crime Grade
D
D+
D+
D
D-
D-
F
C-
C-
C+
A
A
C
C+
C+
F
F
F
F
C-
C-
C
D+
D+
F
D
D
F
D-
D-

Considering only the crime rate, Carlsbad is as safe as the California state average and as safe as the national average.

Safety and school performance are separate topics, but both shape moving decisions. Using SchoolGrade data, schools in Carlsbad, CA average SchoolGrade of B+, with 49% actual proficiency versus 44% projected; overall, schools greatly exceed expectations. See Carlsbad schools on SchoolGrade

About the Data

CrimeGrade.org provides highly detailed and accurate crime data, used by insurance companies, home security firms, and other industries. Our data is available for licensing—learn more about our USA crime data and licensing.

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All maps and statistics above are projections, not certainties, and provided without guarantee free of charge. Verify all info before making any decisions based on the data.