A Consumer Affairs study released in October 2026 ranked California 49th in public safety.
Posted by Ask Dr. Drew, Checked
- Sources
- 3 contradict1 support1 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 60%
Ask Dr. DrewOct 21, 2026
The ConsumerAffairs report ranked California 49th in safety, which the sources support. However, the sources date that report to July 2026 (released around July 7-9), not October 2026, so the claimed release month is contradicted.
Our two reads of who says this, and how, disagree, so it counts as the post's own claim.
What was said
… Excuse me, he's made lawless California, absolutely lawless. He's not enforcing our criminal laws, so much so that, Drew, California is the second most dangerous state in the entire country, second only to New Mexico. There was a recent Consumer Affairs study that came out just weeks ago that said California is 49th in public safety, 49th. Uh, and so we are the second most dangerous state. It's because Rob Bonta refuses to enforce the law. He's the top criminal prosecutor in the state, the top law enforcement officer. …
Ask Dr. Drew · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Contradicts. The ConsumerAffairs 2026 report was published in early July 2026 (KTLA on July 7, Daily Signal and Yahoo on July 9), so it was not released in October 2026 as the claim states.[1][2][3]
Supports. Multiple outlets report that ConsumerAffairs' 2026 best and worst states report placed California 49th in safety.[2][3][4]
Context. The sources do not show any separate October 2026 Consumer Affairs study, and the post's 'just weeks ago' framing does not match the July release date.[1][5]
Sources
5 sources: 5 not rated
- 1California still one of the worst states to move to in 2026 ...ktla.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts, context
- 2California: Now the 3rd Worst State to Move To - Daily Signaldailysignal.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts, supports
- 3California plummets in rankings of worst states to move to — as a surprising state takes the leadfinance.yahoo.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts, supports
- 4Idaho remains a top choice for out-of-state movers with strong safety ...idahobusinessreview.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 5Best US states to move in 2026? CA ranked among worstsacbee.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
- California is the second most dangerous state in the United States, second only to New Mexico.Mixed
- California is ranked as having the worst roads in the country.Mixed
- In 2025, the FBI delivered the largest reduction in the murder rate in the history of America, according to the Uniform Crime Report.True
- Serious violent crime fell 25% nationwide in 2025.Mixed
- Chief Executive Magazine ranks California 50th out of 50 states for business climate.True