Moving from Chico, 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.
Is Chico or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Chico is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 27/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,599 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 19% lower. Chico has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Chico has a 42% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 9.5x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than Chico, CA?
Chico — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chico, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chico | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,599.4 | 3,194.8 | -595.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 701.2 | 606.9 | +94.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 2.7 | -0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 137.9 | 77.3 | +60.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.3 | 140.8 | -58.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 477.0 | 386.0 | +91.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,898.2 | 2,587.9 | -689.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 208.3 | 427.0 | -218.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,486.7 | 1,523.2 | -36.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 203.3 | 637.6 | -434.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from Chico, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chico or San Jose safer?
Chico is safer with a total crime rate of 2,599 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chico has a violent crime rate of 701.2 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Jose has lower violent crime.
About Chico, CA
Chico, home to California State University, Chico, is a city in the Sacramento Valley. It boasts Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. The city's population is around 100,000. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 100,831, Chico has a total crime rate of 2,599.4 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.