Is Irvine or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Irvine is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 57/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 1,474 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 54% lower. Irvine has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Irvine has a 86% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 3.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Irvine — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Irvine, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Irvine | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,473.7 | 3,194.8 | -1,721.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 84.0 | 606.9 | -522.9 |
| Murder Rate | 1.6 | 2.7 | -1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 13.3 | 77.3 | -64.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.1 | 140.8 | -118.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 47.0 | 386.0 | -338.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,389.7 | 2,587.9 | -1,198.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 197.9 | 427.0 | -229.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,122.0 | 1,523.2 | -401.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 69.8 | 637.6 | -567.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Irvine or San Jose safer?
Irvine is safer with a total crime rate of 1,474 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Irvine has a violent crime rate of 84.0 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. Irvine has lower violent crime.
About Irvine, CA
Irvine, a master-planned community developed by the Irvine Company, is home to a large Asian population and the University of California, Irvine. Located in Orange County, it features extensive green spaces and business parks. With a safety score of 57/100 and a population coverage of 316,764, Irvine has a total crime rate of 1,473.7 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.