Is Garden Grove or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Garden Grove is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 39/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,035 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 36% lower. Garden Grove has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Garden Grove has a 78% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 5.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Garden Grove — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Garden Grove, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Garden Grove | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,035.4 | 3,194.8 | -1,159.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.6 | 606.9 | -330.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.6 | 2.7 | -2.1 |
| Rape Rate | 15.0 | 77.3 | -62.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 65.9 | 140.8 | -74.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 195.2 | 386.0 | -190.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,758.9 | 2,587.9 | -829.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 307.7 | 427.0 | -119.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,175.2 | 1,523.2 | -348.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 276.0 | 637.6 | -361.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Garden Grove or San Jose safer?
Garden Grove is safer with a total crime rate of 2,035 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Garden Grove has a violent crime rate of 276.6 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. Garden Grove has lower violent crime.
About Garden Grove, CA
Garden Grove, once primarily an agricultural community, is a diverse Orange County city. Home to the Crystal Cathedral, it boasts a significant Vietnamese-American population and is centrally located near major freeways. With a safety score of 39/100 and a population coverage of 167,041, Garden Grove has a total crime rate of 2,035.4 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.