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Arcata vs San Jose Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Arcata crime rate · San Jose crime rate

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Is Arcata or San Jose Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Arcata is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 34/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,271 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 29% lower. Arcata has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Arcata has a 100% lower rate.

Note: San Jose is 50.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Arcata, CA?

Arcata — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

San Jose — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Arcata, CA

Arcata, CA
Safety Score 34/100
Coverage 19,107
Total Crime Rate 2,271.4
Category Wins 7/7

San Jose, CA

San Jose, CA
Safety Score 16/100
Coverage 956,840
Total Crime Rate 3,194.8
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Arcata San Jose Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,271.4 3,194.8 -923.4
Violent Crime Rate 507.7 606.9 -99.2
Murder Rate 0.0 2.7 -2.7
Rape Rate 73.3 77.3 -4.1
Robbery Rate 120.4 140.8 -20.4
Aggravated Assault Rate 314.0 386.0 -71.9
Property Crime Rate 1,763.8 2,587.9 -824.1
Burglary Rate 193.7 427.0 -233.4
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,423.6 1,523.2 -99.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 146.5 637.6 -491.1

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Arcata, CA to San Jose, CA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arcata or San Jose safer?

Arcata is safer with a total crime rate of 2,271 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 29% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Arcata has a violent crime rate of 507.7 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. Arcata has lower violent crime.

About Arcata, CA

Arcata, California, a Humboldt Bay city and home to Cal Poly Humboldt, is known for its redwood forests and counter-culture heritage. Its population of around 19,000 residents enjoys a temperate climate and a strong sense of community. With a safety score of 34/100 and a population coverage of 19,107, Arcata has a total crime rate of 2,271.4 per 100,000 residents.

About San Jose, CA

San Jose, the largest city in Northern California, is a diverse Silicon Valley hub with a rich history, once serving as California's first state capital. Located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay, its population reflects a broad range of ethnicities and income levels. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 956,840, San Jose has a total crime rate of 3,194.8 per 100,000 residents.

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