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Salinas ranks among California’s 10 most dangerous cities, report says
Updated: 2:39 PM PDT Jul 8, 2026
Salinas ranked No. 8 on a list of California cities with the highest crime rates in a 2026 report published by security company Reolink, which said the ranking was based on 2023 FBI crime data and crime-rate comparisons across the state.According to the report, Salinas recorded a violent crime rate of 6.53 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 31.12 per 1,000 residents. Reolink said the ranking was driven by elevated assault rates in agricultural worker communities and a 14% year-over-year increase in vehicle thefts, which the company said reached 10.3 per 1,000 residents.The report ranked Oakland No. 1, followed by Stockton, San Bernardino, Compton, Richmond, Modesto and Vallejo. Salinas came in ahead of Bakersfield and San Francisco, which rounded out the top 10.Reolink said Oakland topped the list because of high assault rates, vehicle break-ins and rising armed robberies. Stockton ranked second due to a high homicide rate, gang activity and significant car theft. San Bernardino placed third because of armed robberies, burglaries and meth-related crime. Compton and Richmond were cited for gang-related violence, assaults and vehicle theft, while Modesto and Vallejo were listed because of domestic violence, retail theft, armed robberies and residential burglaries.The company said several broader factors are contributing to crime in California cities, including gang activity, poverty, economic inequality, housing instability, underfunded schools, homelessness and tourism-driven property crime.Reolink is a home security company, and its report also included safety recommendations and promotions for surveillance products.
SALINAS, Calif. —
Salinas ranked No. 8 on a list of California cities with the highest crime rates in a 2026 report published by security company Reolink, which said the ranking was based on 2023 FBI crime data and crime-rate comparisons across the state.
According to the report, Salinas recorded a violent crime rate of 6.53 per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 31.12 per 1,000 residents. Reolink said the ranking was driven by elevated assault rates in agricultural worker communities and a 14% year-over-year increase in vehicle thefts, which the company said reached 10.3 per 1,000 residents.
The report ranked Oakland No. 1, followed by Stockton, San Bernardino, Compton, Richmond, Modesto and Vallejo. Salinas came in ahead of Bakersfield and San Francisco, which rounded out the top 10.
Reolink said Oakland topped the list because of high assault rates, vehicle break-ins and rising armed robberies. Stockton ranked second due to a high homicide rate, gang activity and significant car theft.
San Bernardino placed third because of armed robberies, burglaries and meth-related crime. Compton and Richmond were cited for gang-related violence, assaults and vehicle theft, while Modesto and Vallejo were listed because of domestic violence, retail theft, armed robberies and residential burglaries.
The company said several broader factors are contributing to crime in California cities, including gang activity, poverty, economic inequality, housing instability, underfunded schools, homelessness and tourism-driven property crime.
Reolink is a home security company, and its report also included safety recommendations and promotions for surveillance products.