Is Davis or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Davis is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 31/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,398 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 25% lower. Davis has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Davis has a 77% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 14.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Davis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Davis, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Davis | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,397.6 | 3,194.8 | -797.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 186.3 | 606.9 | -420.6 |
| Murder Rate | 1.5 | 2.7 | -1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 29.0 | 77.3 | -48.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 32.1 | 140.8 | -108.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 123.7 | 386.0 | -262.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,211.3 | 2,587.9 | -376.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 142.0 | 427.0 | -285.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,924.2 | 1,523.2 | +400.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 145.1 | 637.6 | -492.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davis or San Jose safer?
Davis is safer with a total crime rate of 2,398 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Davis has a violent crime rate of 186.3 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. Davis has lower violent crime.
About Davis, CA
Davis, California, a city known for its vibrant bicycle culture and the University of California, Davis, lies in the Sacramento Valley. This city of over 60,000 residents is a hub for agricultural research and innovation. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 65,483, Davis has a total crime rate of 2,397.6 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.