Is Oroville or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Jose is safer than Oroville (Safety Score 16/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100,000 versus 4,800 for Oroville — 33% lower. Oroville has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Oroville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 49.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Oroville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Oroville, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Oroville | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,800.2 | 3,194.8 | +1,605.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 980.8 | 606.9 | +373.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.7 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 160.9 | 77.3 | +83.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 176.4 | 140.8 | +35.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 643.5 | 386.0 | +257.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,819.4 | 2,587.9 | +1,231.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 435.9 | 427.0 | +8.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,636.2 | 1,523.2 | +1,113.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 747.3 | 637.6 | +109.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oroville or San Jose safer?
San Jose is safer with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100K vs 4,800 for Oroville — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Oroville has a violent crime rate of 980.8 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Jose has lower violent crime.
About Oroville, CA
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Oroville is home to Lake Oroville, a major state water source. This city, once a gold rush boomtown, serves as the county seat for Butte County. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 19,270, Oroville has a total crime rate of 4,800.2 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.