Is Pleasant Hill or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Jose is safer than Pleasant Hill (Safety Score 16/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100,000 versus 4,261 for Pleasant Hill — 25% lower. Pleasant Hill has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Pleasant Hill has a 61% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 28.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pleasant Hill — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pleasant Hill, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pleasant Hill | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,260.7 | 3,194.8 | +1,065.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 235.6 | 606.9 | -371.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.0 | 2.7 | +3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 11.9 | 77.3 | -65.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 101.4 | 140.8 | -39.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 116.3 | 386.0 | -269.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,025.2 | 2,587.9 | +1,437.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.3 | 427.0 | -152.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,419.9 | 1,523.2 | +1,896.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 331.0 | 637.6 | -306.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pleasant Hill or San Jose safer?
San Jose is safer with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100K vs 4,261 for Pleasant Hill — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pleasant Hill has a violent crime rate of 235.6 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. Pleasant Hill has lower violent crime.
About Pleasant Hill, CA
Pleasant Hill, once part of a Spanish land grant, is a Contra Costa County suburb. It's home to Diablo Valley College and has a population of around 36,000. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 33,539, Pleasant Hill has a total crime rate of 4,260.7 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.