Is San Jose or Tehachapi Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Tehachapi is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 17/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 3,124 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 2% lower. San Jose has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Tehachapi has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 93.1x 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
Tehachapi — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose, CA
Tehachapi, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Jose | Tehachapi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,194.8 | 3,124.1 | +70.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 606.9 | 574.2 | +32.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 0.0 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 77.3 | 77.9 | -0.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 140.8 | 97.3 | +43.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 386.0 | 399.0 | -13.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,587.9 | 2,549.9 | +38.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.0 | 126.5 | +300.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,523.2 | 2,043.8 | -520.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 637.6 | 379.6 | +258.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose or Tehachapi safer?
Tehachapi is safer with a total crime rate of 3,124 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Jose has a violent crime rate of 606.9 per 100K while Tehachapi has 574.2. Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi, CA
Nestled in a mountain pass, Tehachapi is a small city known for its historic Tehachapi Loop railway engineering marvel. This Kern County community sits at a high elevation, offering a unique blend of high desert and mountain environments. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 10,275, Tehachapi has a total crime rate of 3,124.1 per 100,000 residents.