Is El Centro or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, El Centro is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 53/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 50% lower. El Centro has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where El Centro has a 51% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 22.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
El Centro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
El Centro, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | El Centro | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,595.9 | 3,194.8 | -1,598.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 328.4 | 606.9 | -278.5 |
| Murder Rate | 4.6 | 2.7 | +1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.0 | 77.3 | -54.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 73.5 | 140.8 | -67.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 227.3 | 386.0 | -158.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,267.5 | 2,587.9 | -1,320.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 475.3 | 427.0 | +48.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 622.3 | 1,523.2 | -901.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 169.9 | 637.6 | -467.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Centro or San Jose safer?
El Centro is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
El Centro has a violent crime rate of 328.4 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. El Centro has lower violent crime.
About El Centro, CA
El Centro, founded in 1906, is the largest city in Imperial County, situated in the Sonoran Desert. Its economy is largely agricultural, benefiting from irrigation from the Colorado River. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 43,550, El Centro has a total crime rate of 1,595.9 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.