Is National City or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, National City is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 26/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,635 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 18% lower. National City has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Jose has a 63% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 17.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
National City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
National City, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | National City | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,635.0 | 3,194.8 | -559.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 695.6 | 606.9 | +88.7 |
| Murder Rate | 7.3 | 2.7 | +4.6 |
| Rape Rate | 29.1 | 77.3 | -48.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 222.2 | 140.8 | +81.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 437.0 | 386.0 | +51.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,939.4 | 2,587.9 | -648.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 242.2 | 427.0 | -184.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,039.8 | 1,523.2 | -483.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 657.4 | 637.6 | +19.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is National City or San Jose safer?
National City is safer with a total crime rate of 2,635 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
National City has a violent crime rate of 695.6 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Jose has lower violent crime.
About National City, CA
National City, San Diego County's second-oldest city, boasts a historic mile-long pier. This diverse South Bay community, bordering San Diego, is home to a significant Filipino population. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 54,915, National City has a total crime rate of 2,635.0 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.