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Bakersfield vs Santa Ana: 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 Santa Ana's 27.2 per 1,000, making Bakersfield 10% safer overall. Bakersfield earns a C+ safety grade compared to Santa Ana'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

Santa Ana

California

Overall GradeC
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC
Crime Rate27.2/1K
Percentile39%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricBakersfieldSanta Ana
Overall Crime Rate24.5/1K27.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate363.0412.8
Property Crime Rate2089.02310.0
Murder Rate5.38.4
Assault Rate237.2344.1
Robbery Rate81.982.3
Burglary Rate319.3346.5
Theft Rate1830.11818.6
Vehicle Theft Rate425.1585.8

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 8 and Santa Ana is safer in 1.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Bakersfield, you have a 1 in 41 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 37 in Santa Ana.

Full Safety Reports

C+
Bakersfield, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C
Santa Ana, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bakersfield safer than Santa Ana?
As of 2026, Bakersfield is 10% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Santa Ana's 27.2. Bakersfield earns a C+ safety grade vs Santa Ana's C. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Bakersfield or Santa Ana?
Santa Ana has more violent crime at 413 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 Santa Ana?
Bakersfield has a crime rate of 24.5 per 1,000 (violent: 363/100K, property: 2089/100K). Santa Ana has 27.2 per 1,000 (violent: 413/100K, property: 2310/100K).
Should I move to Bakersfield or Santa Ana?
From a safety perspective, Bakersfield has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Bakersfield (pop. 422,165) and Santa Ana (pop. 315,586) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Bakersfield's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Bakersfield and Santa Ana compare for property crime?
Bakersfield has lower property crime at 2089 per 100K vs Santa Ana's 2310. 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 FresnoSanta Ana vs San FranciscoSanta Ana vs FresnoSanta Ana 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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