Is Placerville or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Placerville is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 37/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,107 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 34% lower. Placerville has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Placerville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 90.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Placerville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Placerville, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Placerville | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,106.9 | 3,194.8 | -1,087.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 583.2 | 606.9 | -23.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.7 | -2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 65.8 | 77.3 | -11.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 56.4 | 140.8 | -84.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 460.9 | 386.0 | +74.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,523.7 | 2,587.9 | -1,064.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 319.8 | 427.0 | -107.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,100.5 | 1,523.2 | -422.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 103.5 | 637.6 | -534.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Placerville or San Jose safer?
Placerville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,107 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Placerville has a violent crime rate of 583.2 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. Placerville has lower violent crime.
About Placerville, CA
Placerville, once "Hangtown" during the Gold Rush, is a historic city in El Dorado County. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, its population is around 12,000 residents. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 10,632, Placerville has a total crime rate of 2,106.9 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.