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Bakersfield vs Riverside: 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 Riverside's 21.7 per 1,000, making Riverside 11% safer overall. Riverside 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-

Riverside

California

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.7/1K
Percentile53%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricBakersfieldRiverside
Overall Crime Rate24.5/1K21.7/1K
Violent Crime Rate363.0357.1
Property Crime Rate2089.01811.7
Murder Rate5.34.4
Assault Rate237.2268.4
Robbery Rate81.982.8
Burglary Rate319.3325.4
Theft Rate1830.11295.1
Vehicle Theft Rate425.1461.1

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 4 and Riverside is safer in 5.

Victim Odds Comparison

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

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bakersfield safer than Riverside?
As of 2026, Riverside is 11% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.7 per 1,000 residents compared to Bakersfield's 24.5. Riverside earns a B- safety grade vs Bakersfield's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Bakersfield or Riverside?
Bakersfield has more violent crime at 363 per 100,000 residents. Riverside is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Bakersfield vs Riverside?
Bakersfield has a crime rate of 24.5 per 1,000 (violent: 363/100K, property: 2089/100K). Riverside has 21.7 per 1,000 (violent: 357/100K, property: 1812/100K).
Should I move to Bakersfield or Riverside?
From a safety perspective, Riverside has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Bakersfield (pop. 422,165) and Riverside (pop. 323,057) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Riverside's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Bakersfield and Riverside compare for property crime?
Riverside has lower property crime at 1812 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 FresnoRiverside vs San FranciscoRiverside vs FresnoRiverside 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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