Moving from San Francisco, CA to San Rafael, 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.
Is San Francisco or San Rafael Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Rafael is safer than San Francisco (Safety Score 19/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 3,015 per 100,000 versus 4,526 for San Francisco — 33% lower. San Francisco has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Rafael has a 61% lower rate.
Note: San Francisco is 13.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than San Francisco, CA?
San Francisco — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Rafael — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Francisco, CA
San Rafael, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Francisco | San Rafael | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,525.6 | 3,015.1 | +1,510.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 596.5 | 559.0 | +37.5 |
| Murder Rate | 4.4 | 1.7 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 34.9 | 50.8 | -15.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 267.2 | 149.1 | +118.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 290.1 | 357.4 | -67.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,929.1 | 2,456.1 | +1,473.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 637.5 | 264.2 | +373.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,618.9 | 1,770.1 | +848.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 672.7 | 421.8 | +251.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from San Francisco, CA to San Rafael, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Francisco or San Rafael safer?
San Rafael is safer with a total crime rate of 3,015 per 100K vs 4,526 for San Francisco — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Francisco has a violent crime rate of 596.5 per 100K while San Rafael has 559.0. San Rafael 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 Rafael, CA
Nestled in Marin County, San Rafael is a Bay Area city with a rich history, home to Mission San Rafael Arcángel, one of California's original missions. Its diverse population of over 60,000 residents reflects a blend of suburban charm and urban accessibility. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 59,037, San Rafael has a total crime rate of 3,015.1 per 100,000 residents.