Is Palo Alto or San Antonio Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Palo Alto is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 16/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,245 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 38% lower. Palo Alto has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Palo Alto has a 82% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 23.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Palo Alto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Palo Alto, CA
San Antonio, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Palo Alto | San Antonio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,245.3 | 5,219.0 | -1,973.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 212.1 | 595.3 | -383.3 |
| Murder Rate | 1.5 | 8.4 | -6.9 |
| Rape Rate | 38.4 | 83.7 | -45.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.8 | 108.4 | -54.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 118.3 | 393.7 | -275.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,033.2 | 4,623.6 | -1,590.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 225.9 | 495.6 | -269.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,623.0 | 3,291.8 | -668.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 184.4 | 836.3 | -651.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palo Alto or San Antonio safer?
Palo Alto is safer with a total crime rate of 3,245 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Palo Alto has a violent crime rate of 212.1 per 100K while San Antonio has 595.3. Palo Alto has lower violent crime.
About Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay, is a wealthy Silicon Valley hub home to Stanford University. Its residents are highly educated, with a significant portion holding advanced degrees. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 65,079, Palo Alto has a total crime rate of 3,245.3 per 100,000 residents.
About San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, a South Texas city famed for the Alamo, sits along the Balcones Escarpment. Its population is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting a rich blend of cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,514,458, San Antonio has a total crime rate of 5,219.0 per 100,000 residents.