Is San Jose or Susanville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Susanville is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 45/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 1,838 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 42% lower. San Jose has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Jose has a 89% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 82.2x 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
Susanville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose, CA
Susanville, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Jose | Susanville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,194.8 | 1,837.5 | +1,357.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 606.9 | 686.9 | -80.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 25.8 | -23.0 |
| Rape Rate | 77.3 | 42.9 | +34.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 140.8 | 68.7 | +72.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 386.0 | 549.5 | -163.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,587.9 | 1,150.6 | +1,437.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.0 | 111.6 | +315.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,523.2 | 935.9 | +587.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 637.6 | 103.0 | +534.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose or Susanville safer?
Susanville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,838 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Jose has a violent crime rate of 606.9 per 100K while Susanville has 686.9. San Jose 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 Susanville, CA
Susanville, a Lassen County seat, was once a thriving logging town. Nestled in the Honey Lake Valley, its population is just over 15,000 residents. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 11,646, Susanville has a total crime rate of 1,837.5 per 100,000 residents.