Is California City or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, California City is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 36/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,176 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 32% lower. California City has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where California City has a 68% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 71.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
California City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
California City, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | California City | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,176.2 | 3,194.8 | -1,018.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 588.8 | 606.9 | -18.1 |
| Murder Rate | 7.5 | 2.7 | +4.7 |
| Rape Rate | 22.4 | 77.3 | -55.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.7 | 140.8 | -96.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.2 | 386.0 | +128.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,587.4 | 2,587.9 | -1,000.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 380.1 | 427.0 | -46.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 842.2 | 1,523.2 | -681.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 365.2 | 637.6 | -272.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California City or San Jose safer?
California City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,176 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
California City has a violent crime rate of 588.8 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. California City has lower violent crime.
About California City, CA
California City, an ambitious 1950s planned community in the Mojave Desert, boasts the third-largest land area of any California city. Its vast, grid-like street network often lies empty, a testament to its unfulfilled growth. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 13,418, California City has a total crime rate of 2,176.2 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.