Is San Jose or Ventura Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ventura is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 26/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,616 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 18% lower. San Jose has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Ventura has a 41% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 8.8x 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
Ventura — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose, CA
Ventura, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Jose | Ventura | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,194.8 | 2,616.5 | +578.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 606.9 | 410.9 | +196.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 2.8 | 0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 77.3 | 46.1 | +31.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 140.8 | 82.9 | +57.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 386.0 | 279.2 | +106.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,587.9 | 2,205.6 | +382.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.0 | 265.3 | +161.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,523.2 | 1,733.9 | -210.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 637.6 | 206.4 | +431.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose or Ventura safer?
Ventura is safer with a total crime rate of 2,616 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Jose has a violent crime rate of 606.9 per 100K while Ventura has 410.9. Ventura 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 Ventura, CA
Ventura, a coastal city in Southern California, is known for its historic Mission San Buenaventura, founded in 1782. Its population is approximately 110,000, and it sits along the Pacific Ocean, offering a Mediterranean climate. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 108,543, Ventura has a total crime rate of 2,616.5 per 100,000 residents.