Is Mountain View or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mountain View is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 18/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 4% lower. Mountain View has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Mountain View has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 11.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Mountain View — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mountain View, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mountain View | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,080.0 | 3,194.8 | -114.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 306.9 | 606.9 | -300.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.7 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 46.7 | 77.3 | -30.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.2 | 140.8 | -85.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 205.0 | 386.0 | -181.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,773.1 | 2,587.9 | +185.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 494.7 | 427.0 | +67.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,046.4 | 1,523.2 | +523.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 232.0 | 637.6 | -405.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mountain View or San Jose safer?
Mountain View is safer with a total crime rate of 3,080 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mountain View has a violent crime rate of 306.9 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. Mountain View has lower violent crime.
About Mountain View, CA
Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains foothills, Mountain View is a Silicon Valley hub and home to Google's headquarters. It was also the site of the first successful commercial radio station, KQW, in 1909. The city boasts a diverse population of over 80,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 81,461, Mountain View has a total crime rate of 3,080.0 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.