Is San Antonio or Santa Cruz Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Cruz is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 17/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,128 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 40% lower. San Antonio has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Santa Cruz has a 46% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 24.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Cruz — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Antonio, TX
Santa Cruz, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Antonio | Santa Cruz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,219.0 | 3,128.2 | +2,090.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 595.3 | 612.9 | -17.6 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 4.9 | +3.5 |
| Rape Rate | 83.7 | 42.4 | +41.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 108.4 | 102.7 | +5.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 393.7 | 463.0 | -69.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,623.6 | 2,515.2 | +2,108.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 495.6 | 135.3 | +360.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,291.8 | 2,221.8 | +1,070.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 836.3 | 158.1 | +678.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Antonio or Santa Cruz safer?
Santa Cruz is safer with a total crime rate of 3,128 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 40% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Antonio has a violent crime rate of 595.3 per 100K while Santa Cruz has 612.9. San Antonio has lower violent crime.
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.
About Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz, California, a coastal city known for its historic Beach Boardwalk, sits on Monterey Bay. It's home to a significant student population, including the University of California, Santa Cruz. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 61,346, Santa Cruz has a total crime rate of 3,128.2 per 100,000 residents.