Is Modesto or Reno Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Reno is safer than Modesto (Safety Score 20/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,975 per 100,000 versus 3,070 for Modesto — 3% lower. Modesto has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Modesto has a 61% lower rate.
Modesto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Reno — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Modesto, CA
Reno, NV
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Modesto | Reno | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,070.5 | 2,975.1 | +95.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 655.7 | 530.0 | +125.8 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 8.3 | -5.1 |
| Rape Rate | 56.2 | 69.0 | -12.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 113.3 | 94.5 | +18.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 483.1 | 357.9 | +125.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,414.7 | 2,445.1 | -30.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.1 | 312.2 | -45.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,818.8 | 1,784.7 | +34.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 328.8 | 348.2 | -19.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Modesto or Reno safer?
Reno is safer with a total crime rate of 2,975 per 100K vs 3,070 for Modesto — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Modesto has a violent crime rate of 655.7 per 100K while Reno has 530.0. Reno has lower violent crime.
About Modesto, CA
Modesto, seat of Stanislaus County, is known for its agricultural roots and as the birthplace of filmmaker George Lucas. Situated in California's Central Valley, it's a diverse city with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 218,990, Modesto has a total crime rate of 3,070.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Reno, NV
Nestled in the high desert at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, Reno, Nevada, is famously "The Biggest Little City in the World." This city of just over a quarter-million residents was once the nation's divorce capital due to its lenient laws. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 278,313, Reno has a total crime rate of 2,975.1 per 100,000 residents.