Crime Simulator Fast Money Guide: Best Early-Game Methods
Early Game Money Loop (First Hour)
The opening hours are about capital accumulation. Every dollar goes back into tools that enable better heists.
Step 1: Tutorial Completion
The tutorial gives you starter cash and the crowbar. Do not skip it even if you have played similar games. The tutorial introduces Crime Simulator's specific lockpicking and stealth mechanics.
Step 2: Low-Security House Runs
Target the three cheapest houses from the job board. These have:
- No electronic locks
- Fewer NPC patrols
- Lower police response time
Expected loot per run: about $300-$600 based on community reports.
Step 3: First Tool Investment
After 2-3 runs, you should have about $800-$1,200. Spend it on:
- Basic lockpick set ($200-$400 estimated)
- Flashlight ($100-$150 estimated)
- Sleeping gas ($150-$250 estimated)
Step 4: Medium-Security Houses
With tools equipped, upgrade your target to medium-security houses:
- Better electronics (laptops, tablets)
- More cash stacks
- Occasional jewelry
Expected loot per run: about $600-$1,200.
Job Board Priority
The job board is your most reliable income source. Jobs pay guaranteed cash regardless of loot quality:
- Steal contracts: $500-$1,000 per job
- Bounty contracts: $1,000-$2,000 per job
- Item delivery: $300-$800 per delivery
Complete all available jobs before free-roam looting. Jobs count toward your daily quota and give you breathing room for riskier heists.
Fast Cash Strategies
Route 1: Night Runs
After dark, NPCs are less active and interiors are dimmer. Use your flashlight to spot loot. Night runs yield about 20-30% more loot per house because NPCs have lower visibility according to community reports.
Route 2: Quick In-and-Out
Some houses have high-value items near the entry point. Target houses where you can grab 2-3 items and exit within 60 seconds. These runs are low-risk and stack up fast.
Route 3: Item Request Farming
Once you know what items NPCs request, farm those specific houses. Requested items pay 50-100% premium. A $200 laptop becomes a $350-400 payout.
What Not to Do
Common money mistakes that slow progression:
- Buying cosmetic items early: Every dollar spent on base decorations is a dollar not spent on tools
- Selling to the same fence repeatedly: Price drops after 3+ sales of the same item type
- Holding cash instead of tools: Unspent cash gets lost if arrested. Tools and skills persist.
- Skipping item requests: Leaving money on the table
Mid-Game Money Goals
Once you have basic tools and $2,000-$3,000 in the bank, shift to these income sources:
| Source | Estimated Income | Unlock |
|---|---|---|
| Heist contracts | $2,000-$5,000 per run | Rank 4-5 |
| Gold bars (1.3) | $500-$1,500 per bar | 1.3 content |
| Jewelry fence | $200-$800 per piece | 1.3 content |
The jump from $5,000 to $25,000 is the hardest wall in Crime Simulator. Consistent job completion and item request stacking is the only reliable way through it. Do not chase the one big score until you have the tools and skills to escape it.
Community Verification & Resources
Data values may shift with patches. Cross-check against community resources before building your strategy.