Is La Palma or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, La Palma is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 39/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,033 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 36% lower. La Palma has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where La Palma has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 64.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
La Palma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
La Palma, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | La Palma | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,032.9 | 3,194.8 | -1,161.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 208.7 | 606.9 | -398.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.7 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 26.9 | 77.3 | -50.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 80.8 | 140.8 | -60.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 101.0 | 386.0 | -285.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,824.2 | 2,587.9 | -763.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 350.0 | 427.0 | -77.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,204.9 | 1,523.2 | -318.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 269.3 | 637.6 | -368.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Palma or San Jose safer?
La Palma is safer with a total crime rate of 2,033 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
La Palma has a violent crime rate of 208.7 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. La Palma has lower violent crime.
About La Palma, CA
La Palma, originally a dairy farm community, is a small Orange County city. It's largely residential, with a diverse population of around 15,000 within its compact 1.8 square miles. With a safety score of 39/100 and a population coverage of 14,856, La Palma has a total crime rate of 2,032.9 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.