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Fresno vs Fontana: 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 Fontana's 25 per 1,000, making Fresno 6% safer overall. Fresno earns a C+ safety grade compared to Fontana'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+

Fontana

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25/1K
Percentile45%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricFresnoFontana
Overall Crime Rate23.4/1K25/1K
Violent Crime Rate430.6425.8
Property Crime Rate1912.42073.1
Murder Rate5.87.7
Assault Rate333.7343.1
Robbery Rate85.737.8
Burglary Rate217.5243.3
Theft Rate1400.31665.7
Vehicle Theft Rate324.2385.0

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 7 and Fontana is safer in 2.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Fresno, you have a 1 in 43 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 40 in Fontana.

Full Safety Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresno safer than Fontana?
As of 2026, Fresno is 6% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 residents compared to Fontana's 25. Fresno earns a C+ safety grade vs Fontana's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Fresno or Fontana?
Fresno has more violent crime at 431 per 100,000 residents. Fontana is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Fresno vs Fontana?
Fresno has a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 (violent: 431/100K, property: 1912/100K). Fontana has 25 per 1,000 (violent: 426/100K, property: 2073/100K).
Should I move to Fresno or Fontana?
From a safety perspective, Fresno has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Fresno (pop. 555,549) and Fontana (pop. 221,223) 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 Fontana compare for property crime?
Fresno has lower property crime at 1912 per 100K vs Fontana's 2073. 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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