Is Riverside or San Antonio Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Riverside is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 14/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,422 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 34% lower. Riverside has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Riverside has a 63% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 4.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Riverside — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Riverside, CA
San Antonio, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Riverside | San Antonio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,422.5 | 5,219.0 | -1,796.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 590.4 | 595.3 | -5.0 |
| Murder Rate | 3.1 | 8.4 | -5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 54.0 | 83.7 | -29.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 120.3 | 108.4 | +11.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 412.3 | 393.7 | +18.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,832.1 | 4,623.6 | -1,791.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 396.1 | 495.6 | -99.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,984.4 | 3,291.8 | -1,307.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 451.7 | 836.3 | -384.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riverside or San Antonio safer?
Riverside is safer with a total crime rate of 3,422 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Riverside has a violent crime rate of 590.4 per 100K while San Antonio has 595.3. Riverside has lower violent crime.
About Riverside, CA
Riverside, California, the birthplace of the California citrus industry, is a sprawling city in the Inland Empire. It lies along the Santa Ana River, home to over 300,000 residents, a diverse population including a large Hispanic demographic. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 320,148, Riverside has a total crime rate of 3,422.5 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.