Ask anybody who’s lived here a while and you’ll hear something like, “Brentwood feels pretty chill—until your buddy’s bike vanishes.” That captures the vibe: overall crime sits just a hair above the national average—about 1,636 incidents per 100,000 residents in the most recent FBI file dump—yet folks still leave lawn chairs out front all summer.

In plain English, Brentwood’s an in-between town: not the safest corner of the Bay Area, but nowhere near a war zone either.

Crime Rates in Brentwood, CA

Property Crime in Brentwood

The big headline is property stuff—porch pirates, garage break-ins, vehicle theft, the usual. Brentwood logged roughly 1,460 property crimes per 100k residents (about a 1-in-43 chance of becoming a victim in any given year). That’s slightly higher than the U.S. benchmark and a touch below current CA crime rates statewide (≈2,180/100k).

Put differently, the local property crime rate is “average-plus.” Yes, cars disappear—a lot. NeighborhoodScout even flags Brentwood as having “one of the highest motor-theft risks in the nation,” around 23 thefts per 1,000 folks.

Violent Crime in Brentwood

Shootings are rare. The city posted just 176 violent incidents per 100k, well under California’s 508/100k mark and lower than the U.S. 364/100k line. Your odds of facing violent crime in Brentwood pencil out to roughly 1 in 366, versus 1 in 298 in the average California burg.

Still, the raw violent crime rate has inched up about 18 percent year-over-year, mostly aggravated assaults—bar-parking-lot scuffles more than anything cinematic.

Other Crime

Fraud, arson, simple assault, and drug calls round out the ledger. Collectively they add another ~230 reports per 100k.

Notably, Brentwood ranks above peer suburbs for catalytic-converter thefts (thanks, Prius owners). On the flip side, homicides hover at or near zero.

In short, the “other” bucket bumps the overall crime rate but rarely grabs the evening news.

Local Insights: Crime Trends Over Time

Long-timers swear Brentwood felt rougher in the late ’90s. The numbers back them up. Since 2010, the city’s crime statistics show a gentle downward glide, interrupted only by a COVID-era spike in porch thefts.

The latest FBI release (2023 data) still tags the rate of crime in Brentwood just 2 percent above national—basically flat for three straight years. 

Comparing Brentwood with Nearby Cities with Similar Populations

When you compare Brentwood with other cities in California along Highway 4 and beyond, you’ll find it lands comfortably in the middle of the pack—neither the bargain-basement nor the headline-grabbing outlier.

Antioch

Just ten minutes west, Antioch’s overall crime rate clocks in notably higher than Brentwood’s—locals mention more late-night sirens and car break-ins. 

Pittsburg

A couple of exits farther, Pittsburg feels a notch calmer than Antioch yet still busier than Brentwood after dark. Grocery-store parking lots draw their share of would-be thieves.

Oakley

Head east instead and the vibe softens. Oakley routinely posts a lower rate of crime than Brentwood—quieter streets and fewer porch-pirate stories. Many buyers who like Brentwood’s feel but want extra elbow room end up here. 

The takeaway—Brentwood’s crime profile lands comfortably in the middle—steadier than Antioch or Concord, edgier than Oakley or San Ramon. For many house-hunters, that balance of safety, amenities, and price keeps Brentwood in the “just right” zone.

Safety and Living in Brentwood

Safest Neighborhoods in Brentwood

Ask a local Realtor® and they’ll rattle off Apple Hill Estates, Deer Ridge, and Four Seasons—pockets where the Brentwood crime map fades to light green. These enclaves report single-digit incident counts most months. If you’re scrolling homes for sale in Brentwood, CA, those ZIP-code clusters deserve an extra click.

Factors Influencing Low Crime Rates in Brentwood

Why the middling numbers?

A few theories: high Median household income (≈$135k) buys better doors and alarms; local PD leans into community policing; and the town’s suburban street grid leaves limited escape routes for smash-and-grab crews. Plus, plenty of two-car garages mean fewer late-night curbside temptations.

Home Security Tips for Residents

Brentwood’s no fortress, but simple moves matter. Lock your car—even in the driveway—to dodge that nagging property crime trend in Brentwood. Video doorbells help porch-pirate busts. And don’t forget the social apps: an active Nextdoor thread often nabs package thieves faster than 911.

Conclusion: Assessing Safety in Brentwood

Community Initiatives for Crime Prevention

The city’s Block Watch program trains neighbors on spotting sketchy activity, while the PD’s “Coffee with a Cop” pop-ups keep lines open. Grassroots vibe, big payoff.

Final Thoughts on Crime in Brentwood

So, is Brentwood a safe place to live?

If you can stomach the 70 percent-above-average cost of living in Brentwood, odds are good you’ll settle in without ever becoming a victim of crime in Brentwood.

Streets stay busy with strollers, not police tape. Sure, the crime rate in Brentwood edges past the national line, and you might lose a bike if you’re careless, but the numbers say you’re still far less likely to face violence here than in many Bay Area hubs.

Bottom line: crime in Brentwood exists—every suburb has its stories—but most residents live in Brentwood for years without incident. Keep your doors locked, stay neighborly, and you’ll likely never “become a victim.”

If you want lower numbers, glance at Oakley; need bigger city buzz, roll toward Concord—and always weigh crime alongside schools, commute, and those ever-climbing CA crime rates when you decide where to plant roots and hunt that next set of keys.

Brentwood Crime Rates and Safety FAQs

What’s the current overall crime rate in Brentwood?

Roughly 1,636 offenses per 100,000 residents—just 2–3 percent higher than the national average.

What’s the biggest crime worry for locals?

Property theft, especially packages and auto parts. Vehicle theft rates sit noticeably above national norms.

How does Brentwood’s violent crime rate compare to the rest of CA?

At about 176 per 100k, Brentwood’s violent tally is roughly one-third lower than the statewide 508 per 100k figure—solid showing against CA crime averages.

Where can newcomers check live crime statistics?

The city-maintained dashboard and the interactive Brentwood crime map (powered by Crimeometer) update weekly with fresh reports.