Is San Francisco or San Jose Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Jose is safer than San Francisco (Safety Score 16/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100,000 versus 4,526 for San Francisco — 29% lower. San Francisco has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Jose has a 47% lower rate.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than San Francisco, CA?
San Francisco — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Francisco, CA
San Jose, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Francisco | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,525.6 | 3,194.8 | +1,330.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 596.5 | 606.9 | -10.4 |
| Murder Rate | 4.4 | 2.7 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 34.9 | 77.3 | -42.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 267.2 | 140.8 | +126.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 290.1 | 386.0 | -95.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,929.1 | 2,587.9 | +1,341.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 637.5 | 427.0 | +210.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,618.9 | 1,523.2 | +1,095.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 672.7 | 637.6 | +35.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Francisco or San Jose safer?
San Jose is safer with a total crime rate of 3,195 per 100K vs 4,526 for San Francisco — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Francisco has a violent crime rate of 596.5 per 100K while San Jose has 606.9. San Francisco has lower violent crime.
About San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, a vibrant Northern California port city renowned for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, spans a hilly peninsula. Home to a diverse population of nearly 850,000, it was a pivotal center of the counterculture movement in the 1960s. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 802,856, San Francisco has a total crime rate of 4,525.6 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.