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Oakland, CA vs San Jose, CA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Oakland crime rate · San Jose crime rate

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Is Oakland, CA or San Jose, CA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Jose, CA is safer than Oakland, CA (Safety Score 16/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100,000 versus 9,156 for Oakland, CA — 65% lower. Oakland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where San Jose has a 85% lower rate.

Note: San Jose is 2.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Oakland, CA?

Oakland — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

San Jose — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

Oakland, CA

Oakland, CA
Safety Score 1/100
Coverage 435,042
Total Crime Rate 9,155.7
Category Wins 0/7

San Jose, CA

San Jose, CA
Safety Score 16/100
Coverage 956,840
Total Crime Rate 3,194.8
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Oakland San Jose Difference
Total Crime Rate 9,155.7 3,194.8 +5,960.9
Violent Crime Rate 1,925.3 606.9 +1,318.4
Murder Rate 18.6 2.7 +15.9
Rape Rate 68.0 77.3 -9.3
Robbery Rate 680.4 140.8 +539.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 1,158.3 386.0 +772.3
Property Crime Rate 7,230.3 2,587.9 +4,642.5
Burglary Rate 786.8 427.0 +359.8
Larceny-Theft Rate 4,164.7 1,523.2 +2,641.4
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 2,278.9 637.6 +1,641.2

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Oakland, CA to San Jose, CA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oakland or San Jose safer?

San Jose, CA is safer with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100K vs 9,156 for Oakland, CA — a 65% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Oakland has a violent crime rate of 1,925.3 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Jose has lower violent crime.

About Oakland, CA

Oakland, a diverse East Bay city, boasts a rich history of activism and art, including its vibrant jazz scene. Geographically, it sits on the San Francisco Bay's eastern shore, home to a significant port and varied topography. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 435,042, Oakland has a total crime rate of 9,155.7 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.

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