Is Riverside or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Jose is safer than Riverside (Safety Score 16/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100,000 versus 3,422 for Riverside — 7% lower. Riverside has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
Note: San Jose is 3.0x 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 Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Riverside, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Riverside | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,422.5 | 3,194.8 | +227.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 590.4 | 606.9 | -16.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.1 | 2.7 | +0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 54.0 | 77.3 | -23.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 120.3 | 140.8 | -20.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 412.3 | 386.0 | +26.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,832.1 | 2,587.9 | +244.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 396.1 | 427.0 | -31.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,984.4 | 1,523.2 | +461.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 451.7 | 637.6 | -186.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riverside or San Jose safer?
San Jose is safer with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100K vs 3,422 for Riverside — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Riverside has a violent crime rate of 590.4 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. 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 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.