Is San Jose or Santa Rosa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Santa Rosa is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 51/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 1,663 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 48% lower. San Jose has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Rosa has a 58% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 5.5x 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 Rosa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose, CA
Santa Rosa, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Jose | Santa Rosa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,194.8 | 1,662.6 | +1,532.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 606.9 | 342.6 | +264.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 1.1 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 77.3 | 67.4 | +10.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 140.8 | 66.8 | +74.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 386.0 | 207.3 | +178.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,587.9 | 1,320.0 | +1,267.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.0 | 231.2 | +195.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,523.2 | 919.2 | +604.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 637.6 | 169.6 | +468.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose or Santa Rosa safer?
Santa Rosa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,663 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Jose has a violent crime rate of 606.9 per 100K while Santa Rosa has 342.6. Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
Nestled in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa is a city of over 175,000 residents, famously home to Charles M. Schulz. It's a gateway to California's Wine Country, situated amidst rolling hills and vineyards. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 175,147, Santa Rosa has a total crime rate of 1,662.6 per 100,000 residents.