Is Merced or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Jose is safer than Merced (Safety Score 16/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100,000 versus 3,577 for Merced — 11% lower. Merced has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Jose has a 63% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 10.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Merced — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Merced, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Merced | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,577.3 | 3,194.8 | +382.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 784.8 | 606.9 | +177.9 |
| Murder Rate | 7.3 | 2.7 | +4.6 |
| Rape Rate | 103.0 | 77.3 | +25.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 166.5 | 140.8 | +25.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 507.9 | 386.0 | +122.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,792.6 | 2,587.9 | +204.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 569.3 | 427.0 | +142.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,738.2 | 1,523.2 | +215.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 485.0 | 637.6 | -152.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merced or San Jose safer?
San Jose is safer with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100K vs 3,577 for Merced — a 11% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Merced has a violent crime rate of 784.8 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Jose has lower violent crime.
About Merced, CA
Merced, a Central Valley city known for its proximity to Yosemite, serves as a significant agricultural hub. This community, home to a University of California campus, experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 96,077, Merced has a total crime rate of 3,577.3 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.