Is Hermosa Beach or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hermosa Beach is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 22/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,851 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 11% lower. Hermosa Beach has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hermosa Beach has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 52.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hermosa Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hermosa Beach, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hermosa Beach | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,850.6 | 3,194.8 | -344.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 393.2 | 606.9 | -213.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.7 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 32.8 | 77.3 | -44.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 49.2 | 140.8 | -91.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 311.3 | 386.0 | -74.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,457.4 | 2,587.9 | -130.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 529.7 | 427.0 | +102.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,671.0 | 1,523.2 | +147.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 256.7 | 637.6 | -381.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hermosa Beach or San Jose safer?
Hermosa Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 2,851 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 11% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hermosa Beach has a violent crime rate of 393.2 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. Hermosa Beach has lower violent crime.
About Hermosa Beach, CA
Hermosa Beach, a quintessential Southern California beach city, is home to the oldest surf shop in the world. This small, affluent Los Angeles County community spans just 1.4 square miles. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 18,312, Hermosa Beach has a total crime rate of 2,850.6 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.