Is Belmont or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Belmont is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 58/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 1,448 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 55% lower. Belmont has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Belmont has a 76% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 36.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Belmont — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Belmont, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Belmont | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,448.3 | 3,194.8 | -1,746.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 164.8 | 606.9 | -442.1 |
| Murder Rate | 3.8 | 2.7 | +1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 19.2 | 77.3 | -58.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 34.5 | 140.8 | -106.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 107.3 | 386.0 | -278.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,283.6 | 2,587.9 | -1,304.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 118.8 | 427.0 | -308.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,053.7 | 1,523.2 | -469.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 111.1 | 637.6 | -526.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belmont or San Jose safer?
Belmont is safer with a total crime rate of 1,448 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Belmont has a violent crime rate of 164.8 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. Belmont has lower violent crime.
About Belmont, CA
Belmont, California, a San Francisco Peninsula city, was once part of Rancho de las Pulgas. Home to Notre Dame de Namur University, it's primarily a residential community with a diverse population. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 26,099, Belmont has a total crime rate of 1,448.3 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.