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Fresno vs Modesto: 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 Modesto's 25.1 per 1,000, making Fresno 7% safer overall. Fresno earns a C+ safety grade compared to Modesto'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+

Modesto

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25.1/1K
Percentile44%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricFresnoModesto
Overall Crime Rate23.4/1K25.1/1K
Violent Crime Rate430.6440.4
Property Crime Rate1912.42073.3
Murder Rate5.88.4
Assault Rate333.7345.1
Robbery Rate85.765.6
Burglary Rate217.5219.2
Theft Rate1400.31876.3
Vehicle Theft Rate324.2332.8

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, Fresno is safer in 8 and Modesto is safer in 1.

Victim Odds Comparison

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

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresno safer than Modesto?
As of 2026, Fresno is 7% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 residents compared to Modesto's 25.1. Fresno earns a C+ safety grade vs Modesto's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Fresno or Modesto?
Modesto has more violent crime at 440 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 Modesto?
Fresno has a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 (violent: 431/100K, property: 1912/100K). Modesto has 25.1 per 1,000 (violent: 440/100K, property: 2073/100K).
Should I move to Fresno or Modesto?
From a safety perspective, Fresno has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Fresno (pop. 555,549) and Modesto (pop. 219,652) 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 Modesto compare for property crime?
Fresno has lower property crime at 1912 per 100K vs Modesto's 2073. 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 FranciscoModesto vs SacramentoModesto vs Long BeachModesto vs Oakland

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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