Is El Cerrito or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Jose is safer than El Cerrito (Safety Score 16/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100,000 versus 3,524 for El Cerrito — 9% lower. El Cerrito has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where El Cerrito has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 37.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
El Cerrito — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
El Cerrito, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | El Cerrito | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,524.2 | 3,194.8 | +329.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 479.9 | 606.9 | -127.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.7 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 15.7 | 77.3 | -61.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 287.1 | 140.8 | +146.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 177.0 | 386.0 | -209.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,044.4 | 2,587.9 | +456.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 338.3 | 427.0 | -88.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,253.8 | 1,523.2 | +730.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 452.3 | 637.6 | -185.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Cerrito or San Jose safer?
San Jose is safer with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100K vs 3,524 for El Cerrito — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
El Cerrito has a violent crime rate of 479.9 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. El Cerrito has lower violent crime.
About El Cerrito, CA
El Cerrito, a city in the East Bay, was incorporated in 1917 to prevent annexation by Richmond. Situated on the slopes above San Francisco Bay, it's a diverse community with a significant Asian population. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 25,424, El Cerrito has a total crime rate of 3,524.2 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.