Nestled in the valley of the Inland Empire, Temecula is a quiet suburb that is home to over four dozen wineries with stretches and stretches of vineyards as far as the eye can see. It is the perfect weekend getaway for anyone that wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
If you are thinking about visiting Temecula and have qualms about the safety of the city, we got you covered. We deep dived into the statistics, crime rates and talked to the residents of the city to give you a better understanding of how safe the safe the city really is.
Is Temecula safe?
Statistically speaking, Temecula is a very safe city as indicated by its crime rates. In 2020, Temecula had a violent crime rate of 134.54 per 100,000 residents, which is 66% less than the national average and is one of the lowest crime rates for a city of its size.
Here’s a scale to give you some perspective on Temecula’s crime rate
Temecula Crime Rates And Crime Stats
The most recent, complete set of crime statistics comes from the FBI UCR and cross referenced with the Temecula PD and are for 2019 and 2020:
Temecula police reported a total of 2,413 offenses in 2020, compared with 2,797 in 2019, which is a 14 percent year-over-year decrease.
2019
2020
Percent Change
Homicide
1
0
-100%
Rape
8
12
50%
Robbery
72
67
-7%
Aggravated Assault
85
69
-19%
Violent Crime Total
166
148
-11%
Burglary
318
368
16%
Larceny/Theft
2018
1537
-24%
Motor Vehicle Theft
290
357
23%
Arson
5
3
-40%
Property Crimes Total
2,631
2,265
-14%
TOTAL
2,797
2,413
-14%
Violent Crime Rate
In 2020 Temecula reported 148 violent crimes and had a violent crime rate of 134.54 per 100,000 residents. Temecula’s violent crime rate is 66% less than the national average.
Year over year violent crime decreased 11%.
You have a 1 in 743 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Temecula.
Violent crimes include; homicides, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults.
Property Crime Rate
In 2020 Temecula reported 2,265 property crimes and had a property crime rate of 2,059.03 per 100,000 residents. Temecula’s property crime rate is 5% greater than the national average.
Year over year property crime decreased 14%.
You have a 1 in 49 chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Temecula.
Property crimes include; burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
Murder Rate
In 2020 Temecula reported 0 murders and had a murder rate of 0 per 100,000 residents.
Temecula’s crime rate vs other cities in California (2020)
Here’s how Temecula’s crime rate compared to other cities in California. Temecula had the lowest crime rate of all cities listed.
Here’s a list of the top 23 most dangerous cities in the United States ranked by violent crime rates. Temecula’s violent crime rate is 22 times less than Monroe, Louisiana, the most dangerous city on the list.
City
Population
Violent Crime Rate per 100,000 people
Monroe
47,702
2,932.79
Memphis
633,104
2,418.24
Atlantic City
38,497
2,335.25
Saginaw
44,202
2,327.95
Detroit
639,111
2,248.44
St. Louis
301,578
1,995.17
Alexandria
45,275
1,877.42
Pine Bluff
41,253
1,808.35
Little Rock
202,591
1,805.11
Milwaukee
577,222
1,733.13
South Bend
103,453
1,706.09
Cleveland
372,624
1,689.10
Camden
71,791
1,632.52
Birmingham
200,733
1,577.22
Kansas City
508,090
1,558.58
Baltimore
585,708
1,460.11
Albuquerque
564,559
1,406.41
Chattanooga
181,099
1,382.67
San Bernardino
222,101
1,365.59
New Orleans
383,997
1,358.08
Oakland
440,646
1,347.34
Temecula
110,003
134.54
Is Old Town Temecula Safe?
Old Town Temecula is a very safe area during the day and at night. There is usually a good amount of police presence in the area and the biggest thing you have to worry about are drunk people leaving the bars trying to start a fight.
Is the public transportation in Temecula safe?
The public transportation system in Temecula is handled by the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) , which offers many routes that interweave throughout the entire city.
The Temecula Bus is generally a safe option to use during while visiting the city.
Is Temecula safe at night?
Temecula is generally a safe city at night. The only areas you should avoid going at night are under freeways where homeless people camped out.
You should also stay in well lit areas and avoid walking through desolate areas at night.
Is Temecula safe for a solo traveler?
Temecula is safe for all travelers, including female solo travelers!
If you visit Temecula alone you’ll be plenty safe if you practice common sense when it comes to safety (i.e. avoid walking alone at night, locking up your vehicles, and keeping an eye on your things belongings).
What do residents of Temecula say about it’s safety?
I’ve lived here with my wife for over a decade now and we’ve never felt unsafe or threatened by the people that live here.
Temecula is safe. It’s beautiful, mostly everyone is kind and just minds their business.
Violent crime here is pretty much non-existent. We have one of the lowest crime rates in California.
There are really no bad areas in Temecula.
Temecula is a clean city with low crime rates and is a good place to raise a family.
Temecula is a terrific place to live and raise kids.
Temecula is a quiet suburb. If you like hustle and bustle, this is definitely not the place for you.
Tips to stay safe while visiting Temecula
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Don’t walk around with your head buried in your phone or headphones.
Don’t leave valuables in plain sight in your car. Take them with you or put it in the trunk.
Walk with confidence and like you know where you are going. Don’t look like a lost tourist.
Trust your gut. Walk away if something or someone doesn’t give you a good feeling.
Always keep an eye on your drink. Don’t accept drink from strangers and if you do, make sure it comes directly from the bartender.
Facts about Temecula, CA
The population of Temecula in 2020 was 110,003 and is the 61st most populous city in California
The city covers a land area of 37.27 sq mi.
The median age was 33.4 years.
94.1% of residents 25 and older is a high school graduate. 35% of residents 25 and older has a bachelors degree or higher.
The median income for a household in the city was $98,631. The per capita income for the city was $36,556.
7.2% of the population live below the poverty line.
The median home value in Temecula is $750,000 in 2022.
In 2022, the average rent for a Temecula 2-bedroom apartment is $2,500.
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