CCCityCheck
Find Your City
SafetyCostThings to DoToolsDataSearch

Fresno vs Bakersfield: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Fresno has a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 residents vs Bakersfield's 24.5 per 1,000, making Fresno 4% safer overall. Fresno earns a C+ safety grade compared to Bakersfield's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C+

Fresno

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.4/1K
Percentile49%
C+

Bakersfield

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricFresnoBakersfield
Overall Crime Rate23.4/1K24.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate430.6363.0
Property Crime Rate1912.42089.0
Murder Rate5.85.3
Assault Rate333.7237.2
Robbery Rate85.781.9
Burglary Rate217.5319.3
Theft Rate1400.31830.1
Vehicle Theft Rate324.2425.1

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, Fresno is safer in 5 and Bakersfield is safer in 4.

Victim Odds Comparison

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

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresno safer than Bakersfield?
As of 2026, Fresno is 4% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 residents compared to Bakersfield's 24.5. Fresno earns a C+ safety grade vs Bakersfield's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Fresno or Bakersfield?
Fresno has more violent crime at 431 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 Fresno vs Bakersfield?
Fresno has a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 (violent: 431/100K, property: 1912/100K). Bakersfield has 24.5 per 1,000 (violent: 363/100K, property: 2089/100K).
Should I move to Fresno or Bakersfield?
From a safety perspective, Fresno has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Fresno (pop. 555,549) and Bakersfield (pop. 422,165) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Fresno's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Fresno and Bakersfield compare for property crime?
Fresno has lower property crime at 1912 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

Fresno vs San DiegoFresno vs San JoseFresno vs San FranciscoBakersfield vs San JoseBakersfield vs San FranciscoBakersfield 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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities