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Lafayette, CA vs San Jose, CA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Lafayette crime rate · San Jose crime rate

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Is Lafayette, CA or San Jose, CA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lafayette, CA is safer than San Jose, CA (Safety Score 62/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 1,348 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose, CA — 58% lower. Lafayette has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Lafayette has a 100% lower rate.

Note: San Jose is 38.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Lafayette, CA?

Lafayette — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Flat Property Flat Total

San Jose — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Lafayette, CA

Lafayette, CA
Safety Score 62/100
Coverage 24,934
Total Crime Rate 1,347.6
Category Wins 7/7

San Jose, CA

San Jose, CA
Safety Score 16/100
Coverage 956,840
Total Crime Rate 3,194.8
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Lafayette San Jose Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,347.6 3,194.8 -1,847.2
Violent Crime Rate 80.2 606.9 -526.7
Murder Rate 0.0 2.7 -2.7
Rape Rate 0.0 77.3 -77.3
Robbery Rate 40.1 140.8 -100.7
Aggravated Assault Rate 40.1 386.0 -345.9
Property Crime Rate 1,267.4 2,587.9 -1,320.5
Burglary Rate 104.3 427.0 -322.8
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,102.9 1,523.2 -420.3
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 60.2 637.6 -577.5

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Lafayette, CA to San Jose, CA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lafayette or San Jose safer?

Lafayette, CA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,348 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose, CA — a 58% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 80.2 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. Lafayette has lower violent crime.

About Lafayette, CA

Nestled in the East Bay hills, Lafayette is a suburban community known for its top-rated schools and the annual "Reservoir Run." This affluent town, largely composed of families and commuters, offers a peaceful, tree-lined environment. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 24,934, Lafayette has a total crime rate of 1,347.6 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.

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