Is Long Beach or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Jose is safer than Long Beach (Safety Score 16/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100,000 versus 4,156 for Long Beach — 23% lower. Long Beach has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Jose has a 67% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 2.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Long Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Long Beach, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Long Beach | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,155.7 | 3,194.8 | +960.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 676.9 | 606.9 | +70.0 |
| Murder Rate | 8.3 | 2.7 | +5.6 |
| Rape Rate | 45.0 | 77.3 | -32.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 222.6 | 140.8 | +81.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 400.5 | 386.0 | +14.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,478.8 | 2,587.9 | +890.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 704.8 | 427.0 | +277.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,795.7 | 1,523.2 | +272.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 978.3 | 637.6 | +340.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Long Beach or San Jose safer?
San Jose is safer with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100K vs 4,156 for Long Beach — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Long Beach has a violent crime rate of 676.9 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Jose has lower violent crime.
About Long Beach, CA
Long Beach, a coastal city in Southern California, is home to the historic Queen Mary ocean liner. It boasts a diverse population exceeding 460,000, situated at the southern end of Los Angeles County. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 444,232, Long Beach has a total crime rate of 4,155.7 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.