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Bakersfield vs Chula Vista: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Bakersfield has a crime rate of 24.5 per 1,000 residents vs Chula Vista's 21.9 per 1,000, making Chula Vista 11% safer overall. Chula Vista earns a B- safety grade compared to Bakersfield's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C+

Bakersfield

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate24.5/1K
Percentile46%
B-

Chula Vista

California

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.9/1K
Percentile53%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricBakersfieldChula Vista
Overall Crime Rate24.5/1K21.9/1K
Violent Crime Rate363.0479.6
Property Crime Rate2089.01708.9
Murder Rate5.37.4
Assault Rate237.2379.1
Robbery Rate81.973.5
Burglary Rate319.3193.5
Theft Rate1830.11263.3
Vehicle Theft Rate425.1294.2

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Bakersfield is safer in 3 and Chula Vista is safer in 6.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Bakersfield, you have a 1 in 41 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 46 in Chula Vista.

Full Safety Reports

C+
Bakersfield, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B-
Chula Vista, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bakersfield safer than Chula Vista?
As of 2026, Chula Vista is 11% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.9 per 1,000 residents compared to Bakersfield's 24.5. Chula Vista earns a B- safety grade vs Bakersfield's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Bakersfield or Chula Vista?
Chula Vista has more violent crime at 480 per 100,000 residents. Bakersfield is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Bakersfield vs Chula Vista?
Bakersfield has a crime rate of 24.5 per 1,000 (violent: 363/100K, property: 2089/100K). Chula Vista has 21.9 per 1,000 (violent: 480/100K, property: 1709/100K).
Should I move to Bakersfield or Chula Vista?
From a safety perspective, Chula Vista has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Bakersfield (pop. 422,165) and Chula Vista (pop. 275,533) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Chula Vista's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Bakersfield and Chula Vista compare for property crime?
Chula Vista has lower property crime at 1709 per 100K vs Bakersfield's 2089. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Bakersfield vs San JoseBakersfield vs San FranciscoBakersfield vs FresnoChula Vista vs San FranciscoChula Vista vs FresnoChula Vista vs Sacramento

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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