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Fresno vs Chula Vista: 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 Chula Vista's 21.9 per 1,000, making Chula Vista 6% safer overall. Chula Vista earns a B- safety grade compared to Fresno'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%
B-

Chula Vista

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricFresnoChula Vista
Overall Crime Rate23.4/1K21.9/1K
Violent Crime Rate430.6479.6
Property Crime Rate1912.41708.9
Murder Rate5.87.4
Assault Rate333.7379.1
Robbery Rate85.773.5
Burglary Rate217.5193.5
Theft Rate1400.31263.3
Vehicle Theft Rate324.2294.2

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, Fresno is safer in 3 and Chula Vista is safer in 6.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Fresno, you have a 1 in 43 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 46 in Chula Vista.

Full Safety Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresno safer than Chula Vista?
As of 2026, Chula Vista is 6% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.9 per 1,000 residents compared to Fresno's 23.4. Chula Vista earns a B- safety grade vs Fresno's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Fresno or Chula Vista?
Chula Vista has more violent crime at 480 per 100,000 residents. Fresno is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Fresno vs Chula Vista?
Fresno has a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 (violent: 431/100K, property: 1912/100K). Chula Vista has 21.9 per 1,000 (violent: 480/100K, property: 1709/100K).
Should I move to Fresno or Chula Vista?
From a safety perspective, Chula Vista has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Fresno (pop. 555,549) 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 Fresno and Chula Vista compare for property crime?
Chula Vista has lower property crime at 1709 per 100K vs Fresno's 1912. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

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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