Is Morro Bay or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Morro Bay is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 71/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 1,092 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 66% lower. Morro Bay has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Morro Bay has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 90.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Morro Bay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Morro Bay, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Morro Bay | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,091.9 | 3,194.8 | -2,102.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 303.8 | 606.9 | -303.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.7 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 66.5 | 77.3 | -10.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.0 | 140.8 | -121.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 208.9 | 386.0 | -177.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 788.1 | 2,587.9 | -1,799.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 38.0 | 427.0 | -389.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 702.6 | 1,523.2 | -820.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 47.5 | 637.6 | -590.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morro Bay or San Jose safer?
Morro Bay is safer with a total crime rate of 1,092 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 66% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Morro Bay has a violent crime rate of 303.8 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. Morro Bay has lower violent crime.
About Morro Bay, CA
Morro Bay, a small coastal city in San Luis Obispo County, is famous for Morro Rock, a volcanic plug that's part of the Nine Sisters. Its harbor supports a fishing fleet and draws tourists to its waterfront. With a safety score of 71/100 and a population coverage of 10,532, Morro Bay has a total crime rate of 1,091.9 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.