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Fresno vs Oakland: 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 Oakland's 27.3 per 1,000, making Fresno 14% safer overall. Fresno earns a C+ safety grade compared to Oakland'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

Oakland

California

Overall GradeC
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate27.3/1K
Percentile39%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricFresnoOakland
Overall Crime Rate23.4/1K27.3/1K
Violent Crime Rate430.6483.2
Property Crime Rate1912.42243.2
Murder Rate5.86.1
Assault Rate333.7332.4
Robbery Rate85.7122.9
Burglary Rate217.5242.5
Theft Rate1400.31707.0
Vehicle Theft Rate324.2538.5

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 Oakland 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 37 in Oakland.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresno safer than Oakland?
As of 2026, Fresno is 14% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 residents compared to Oakland's 27.3. Fresno earns a C+ safety grade vs Oakland's C. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Fresno or Oakland?
Oakland has more violent crime at 483 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 Oakland?
Fresno has a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 (violent: 431/100K, property: 1912/100K). Oakland has 27.3 per 1,000 (violent: 483/100K, property: 2243/100K).
Should I move to Fresno or Oakland?
From a safety perspective, Fresno has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Fresno (pop. 555,549) and Oakland (pop. 440,838) 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 Oakland compare for property crime?
Fresno has lower property crime at 1912 per 100K vs Oakland's 2243. 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 FranciscoOakland vs San JoseOakland vs San FranciscoOakland 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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