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San Diego vs San Jose Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: San Diego crime rate · San Jose crime rate

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Is San Diego or San Jose Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Diego is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 38/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 35% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 45% lower rate.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than San Diego, CA?

San Diego — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

San Jose — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA
Safety Score 38/100
Coverage 1,389,024
Total Crime Rate 2,082.4
Category Wins 7/7

San Jose, CA

San Jose, CA
Safety Score 16/100
Coverage 956,840
Total Crime Rate 3,194.8
Category Wins 0/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type San Diego San Jose Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,082.4 3,194.8 -1,112.4
Violent Crime Rate 412.4 606.9 -194.5
Murder Rate 2.5 2.7 -0.2
Rape Rate 21.4 77.3 -56.0
Robbery Rate 77.4 140.8 -63.4
Aggravated Assault Rate 310.9 386.0 -75.0
Property Crime Rate 1,670.0 2,587.9 -917.9
Burglary Rate 187.4 427.0 -239.6
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,087.1 1,523.2 -436.2
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 395.5 637.6 -242.1

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from San Diego, CA to San Jose, CA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego or San Jose safer?

San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 35% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Diego has lower violent crime.

About San Diego, CA

San Diego, California, a major port city with a significant Hispanic population, sits on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border. Known for its mild climate and Balboa Park, it's also home to a large naval presence. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 1,389,024, San Diego has a total crime rate of 2,082.4 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.

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