Is Grass Valley or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Grass Valley is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 24/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,687 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 16% lower. Grass Valley has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Grass Valley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 68.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Grass Valley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grass Valley, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grass Valley | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,686.6 | 3,194.8 | -508.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 540.2 | 606.9 | -66.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.7 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 92.4 | 77.3 | +15.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.5 | 140.8 | -105.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 412.2 | 386.0 | +26.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,146.4 | 2,587.9 | -441.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 284.3 | 427.0 | -142.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,428.6 | 1,523.2 | -94.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 433.6 | 637.6 | -204.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grass Valley or San Jose safer?
Grass Valley is safer with a total crime rate of 2,687 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grass Valley has a violent crime rate of 540.2 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. Grass Valley has lower violent crime.
About Grass Valley, CA
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Grass Valley boomed during the Gold Rush, its historic downtown now a cultural hub. This small city, with a population around 13,000, retains much of its charming 19th-century architecture. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 14,070, Grass Valley has a total crime rate of 2,686.6 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.