Is San Jose or Westminster Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Westminster is safer than San Jose (Safety Score 20/100 vs 16/100), with a total crime rate of 2,938 per 100,000 versus 3,195 for San Jose — 8% lower. San Jose has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Westminster has a 28% lower rate.
Note: San Jose is 10.9x 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
Westminster — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Jose, CA
Westminster, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Jose | Westminster | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,194.8 | 2,937.8 | +257.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 606.9 | 439.6 | +167.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 3.4 | -0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 77.3 | 29.5 | +47.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 140.8 | 113.6 | +27.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 386.0 | 289.7 | +96.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,587.9 | 2,498.1 | +89.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 427.0 | 364.7 | +62.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,523.2 | 1,910.8 | -387.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 637.6 | 222.7 | +415.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose or Westminster safer?
Westminster is safer with a total crime rate of 2,938 per 100K vs 3,195 for San Jose — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Jose has a violent crime rate of 606.9 per 100K while Westminster has 439.6. Westminster 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 Westminster, CA
Westminster, in northern Orange County, is known for its thriving Little Saigon, a hub of Vietnamese culture and commerce. This city, home to a significant Vietnamese American population, is centrally located between Los Angeles and San Diego. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 88,026, Westminster has a total crime rate of 2,937.8 per 100,000 residents.