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Los Angeles vs San Jose Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Los Angeles crime rate · San Jose crime rate

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Is Los Angeles or San Jose Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Los Angeles is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 35/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 31% lower. Los Angeles has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where San Jose has a 61% lower rate.

Note: Los Angeles is 4.0x 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 SAFER than Los Angeles, CA?

Los Angeles — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

San Jose — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, CA
Safety Score 35/100
Coverage 3,796,352
Total Crime Rate 2,212.5
Category Wins 4/7

San Jose, CA

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

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Los Angeles San Jose Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,212.5 3,194.8 -982.3
Violent Crime Rate 728.5 606.9 +121.7
Murder Rate 7.0 2.7 +4.2
Rape Rate 40.3 77.3 -37.0
Robbery Rate 209.9 140.8 +69.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 471.4 386.0 +85.4
Property Crime Rate 1,483.9 2,587.9 -1,104.0
Burglary Rate 372.8 427.0 -54.3
Larceny-Theft Rate 851.5 1,523.2 -671.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 259.6 637.6 -378.0

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

Moving from Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles or San Jose safer?

Los Angeles is safer with a total crime rate of 2,212 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 31% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Jose has lower violent crime.

About Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, a sprawling Southern California metropolis, is a major Pacific Rim gateway, home to Hollywood's film industry. Its diverse population of nearly 4 million people resides across a vast urban landscape bordered by mountains and the Pacific Ocean. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 3,796,352, Los Angeles has a total crime rate of 2,212.5 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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