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Bakersfield vs San Bernardino: 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 San Bernardino's 23.1 per 1,000, making San Bernardino 6% safer overall. San Bernardino earns a C+ 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%
C+

San Bernardino

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.1/1K
Percentile50%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricBakersfieldSan Bernardino
Overall Crime Rate24.5/1K23.1/1K
Violent Crime Rate363.0351.2
Property Crime Rate2089.01961.9
Murder Rate5.34.1
Assault Rate237.2230.8
Robbery Rate81.955.0
Burglary Rate319.3370.8
Theft Rate1830.11299.4
Vehicle Theft Rate425.1212.8

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 1 and San Bernardino is safer in 8.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Bakersfield, you have a 1 in 41 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in San Bernardino.

Full Safety Reports

C+
Bakersfield, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
San Bernardino, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bakersfield safer than San Bernardino?
As of 2026, San Bernardino is 6% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.1 per 1,000 residents compared to Bakersfield's 24.5. San Bernardino earns a C+ safety grade vs Bakersfield's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Bakersfield or San Bernardino?
Bakersfield has more violent crime at 363 per 100,000 residents. San Bernardino is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Bakersfield vs San Bernardino?
Bakersfield has a crime rate of 24.5 per 1,000 (violent: 363/100K, property: 2089/100K). San Bernardino has 23.1 per 1,000 (violent: 351/100K, property: 1962/100K).
Should I move to Bakersfield or San Bernardino?
From a safety perspective, San Bernardino has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Bakersfield (pop. 422,165) and San Bernardino (pop. 222,044) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. San Bernardino's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Bakersfield and San Bernardino compare for property crime?
San Bernardino has lower property crime at 1962 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 FresnoSan Bernardino vs FresnoSan Bernardino vs SacramentoSan Bernardino vs Long Beach

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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