Is Gardena or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Jose is safer than Gardena (Safety Score 16/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100,000 versus 3,755 for Gardena — 15% lower. Gardena has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Jose has a 48% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 16.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gardena — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gardena, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gardena | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,754.5 | 3,194.8 | +559.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 703.3 | 606.9 | +96.4 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 2.7 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 27.8 | 77.3 | -49.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.4 | 140.8 | +60.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 468.9 | 386.0 | +82.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,051.2 | 2,587.9 | +463.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 422.0 | 427.0 | -5.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,727.9 | 1,523.2 | +204.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 901.3 | 637.6 | +263.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gardena or San Jose safer?
San Jose is safer with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100K vs 3,755 for Gardena — a 15% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gardena has a violent crime rate of 703.3 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Jose has lower violent crime.
About Gardena, CA
Gardena, a South Bay city, was once a major strawberry producer. Its diverse population includes a significant Japanese American community. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 57,584, Gardena has a total crime rate of 3,754.5 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.