Is San Jose or Sierra Madre Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sierra Madre is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 81/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 806 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 75% lower. San Jose has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sierra Madre has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 90.7x 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
Sierra Madre — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose, CA
Sierra Madre, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Jose | Sierra Madre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,194.8 | 806.2 | +2,388.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 606.9 | 208.7 | +398.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 0.0 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 77.3 | 9.5 | +67.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 140.8 | 9.5 | +131.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 386.0 | 189.7 | +196.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,587.9 | 597.5 | +1,990.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.0 | 218.1 | +208.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,523.2 | 331.9 | +1,191.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 637.6 | 47.4 | +590.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose or Sierra Madre safer?
Sierra Madre is safer with a total crime rate of 806 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 75% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Jose has a violent crime rate of 606.9 per 100K while Sierra Madre has 208.7. Sierra Madre 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 Sierra Madre, CA
Nestled against the San Gabriel Mountains, Sierra Madre is a small, affluent community known for its annual Wistaria Festival. Its scenic, tree-lined streets are home to a predominantly older population. With a safety score of 81/100 and a population coverage of 10,544, Sierra Madre has a total crime rate of 806.2 per 100,000 residents.