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D-

Is San Jose, California Safe?

Population 989,814 · Safer than 12% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in San Jose runs high. The city's D- grade puts it below 88% of US cities, with violent crime above the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,601 per 100K.

San Jose Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSan JoseCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate485.8333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2368.42099.21,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate287.0--268.2
Theft Rate1601.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate438.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD-

285.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD-

486/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2368/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for San Jose

Violent crime in San Jose is above the national average. The rate of 485.8 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2368.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,601 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

San Jose Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault287
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery100
01.6x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary270
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,601
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft438
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How San Jose Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Jose
485.8
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Jose
2368.4
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About San Jose Safety

Is San Jose safe?
Not especially. San Jose earns a D- with a crime rate of 285.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in San Jose?
285.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 485.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2368.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is San Jose safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. San Jose's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,601 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in San Jose?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in San Jose generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the San Jose police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in San Jose?
Yes, there's been an uptick. San Jose's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does San Jose compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. San Jose ranks behind about 93% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is San Jose to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in San Jose?
Bad. A D- grade and 285.4 per-thousand rate put San Jose below 88% of US cities. Violent crime at 486 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in San Jose?
485.8 per 100,000, which is 34% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (287), robbery (100), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in California

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See crime rates in Oakland440,838 pop · Grade F
View all California city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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