Is East Palo Alto or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, East Palo Alto is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 28/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,527 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 21% lower. East Palo Alto has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Jose has a 62% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 34.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
East Palo Alto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
East Palo Alto, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | East Palo Alto | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,526.8 | 3,194.8 | -668.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 607.3 | 606.9 | +0.4 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 2.7 | +4.5 |
| Rape Rate | 94.0 | 77.3 | +16.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 213.3 | 140.8 | +72.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 292.8 | 386.0 | -93.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,919.5 | 2,587.9 | -668.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 108.5 | 427.0 | -318.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,352.0 | 1,523.2 | -171.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 459.1 | 637.6 | -178.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Palo Alto or San Jose safer?
East Palo Alto is safer with a total crime rate of 2,527 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
East Palo Alto has a violent crime rate of 607.3 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Jose has lower violent crime.
About East Palo Alto, CA
East Palo Alto, California, a city incorporated in 1983, sits on the San Francisco Bay's western shore. It is the only city in San Mateo County that primarily has a Black and Hispanic population. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 27,663, East Palo Alto has a total crime rate of 2,526.8 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.