Is San Jose or Santa Paula Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Paula is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 66/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 1,204 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 62% lower. San Jose has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Santa Paula has a 66% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 29.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
San Jose — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Paula — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose, CA
Santa Paula, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Jose | Santa Paula | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,194.8 | 1,204.1 | +1,990.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 606.9 | 329.8 | +277.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 3.1 | -0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 77.3 | 37.3 | +40.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 140.8 | 49.8 | +91.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 386.0 | 236.5 | +149.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,587.9 | 874.3 | +1,713.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.0 | 84.0 | +343.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,523.2 | 672.1 | +851.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 637.6 | 118.2 | +519.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose or Santa Paula safer?
Santa Paula is safer with a total crime rate of 1,204 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 62% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Jose has a violent crime rate of 606.9 per 100K while Santa Paula has 329.8. Santa Paula has lower violent crime.
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.
About Santa Paula, CA
Nestled in the Santa Clara River Valley, Santa Paula is a Ventura County city known as the "Citrus Capital of the World." Its historic downtown and surrounding agricultural lands reflect a rich heritage, with a population of approximately 30,000 residents. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 32,139, Santa Paula has a total crime rate of 1,204.1 per 100,000 residents.