Is Richmond or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Jose is safer than Richmond (Safety Score 16/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100,000 versus 3,685 for Richmond — 13% lower. Richmond has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Jose has a 66% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 8.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Richmond, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Richmond | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,685.5 | 3,194.8 | +490.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 923.1 | 606.9 | +316.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.9 | 2.7 | +5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 21.2 | 77.3 | -56.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 231.0 | 140.8 | +90.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 663.0 | 386.0 | +277.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,762.4 | 2,587.9 | +174.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 128.7 | 427.0 | -298.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,653.2 | 1,523.2 | +129.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 980.4 | 637.6 | +342.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richmond or San Jose safer?
San Jose is safer with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100K vs 3,685 for Richmond — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Richmond has a violent crime rate of 923.1 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Jose has lower violent crime.
About Richmond, CA
Richmond, California, a Bay Area city with a deep industrial past, was home to a major Kaiser Shipyard during WWII. This diverse city on the San Francisco Bay has a significant Black population, reflecting its wartime boom. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 113,418, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,685.5 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.