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Fresno vs Riverside: 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 Riverside's 21.7 per 1,000, making Riverside 7% safer overall. Riverside 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-

Riverside

California

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.7/1K
Percentile53%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricFresnoRiverside
Overall Crime Rate23.4/1K21.7/1K
Violent Crime Rate430.6357.1
Property Crime Rate1912.41811.7
Murder Rate5.84.4
Assault Rate333.7268.4
Robbery Rate85.782.8
Burglary Rate217.5325.4
Theft Rate1400.31295.1
Vehicle Theft Rate324.2461.1

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 2 and Riverside is safer in 7.

Victim Odds Comparison

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

Full Safety Reports

C+
Fresno, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B-
Riverside, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresno safer than Riverside?
As of 2026, Riverside is 7% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.7 per 1,000 residents compared to Fresno's 23.4. Riverside earns a B- safety grade vs Fresno's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Fresno or Riverside?
Fresno has more violent crime at 431 per 100,000 residents. Riverside is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Fresno vs Riverside?
Fresno has a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 (violent: 431/100K, property: 1912/100K). Riverside has 21.7 per 1,000 (violent: 357/100K, property: 1812/100K).
Should I move to Fresno or Riverside?
From a safety perspective, Riverside has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Fresno (pop. 555,549) and Riverside (pop. 323,057) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Riverside's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Fresno and Riverside compare for property crime?
Riverside has lower property crime at 1812 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

Fresno vs San DiegoFresno vs San JoseFresno vs San FranciscoRiverside vs San FranciscoRiverside vs SacramentoRiverside vs Long Beach

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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