San Marcos, CA vs Santa Maria, CA

San Marcos is safer with a higher safety score by 16 points. San Marcos, CA has a safety score of 77/100 while Santa Maria, CA has 61/100, based on FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

San Marcos, CA has a violent crime rate of 222.4 per 100,000 residents, while Santa Maria, CA has 660.6 per 100,000. Lower rates indicate safer communities. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

San Marcos, CA has a property crime rate of 659.8 per 100,000, compared to 1882.7 per 100,000 in Santa Maria, CA. Property crimes include burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.

Safety scores range from 0-100, combining violent crime rates, property crime rates, and population data from the FBI UCR. Higher scores mean safer cities. Grades: A (80+), B (65-79), C (50-64), D (40-49), F (below 40).

Based on crime data alone, San Marcos is safer. However, safety is just one factor — also consider cost of living, job market, schools, and quality of life. Visit our city pages for more details on each.