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Fresno vs Sacramento: 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 Sacramento's 23 per 1,000, making Sacramento 2% safer overall. Sacramento earns a C+ 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%
C+

Sacramento

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23/1K
Percentile50%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricFresnoSacramento
Overall Crime Rate23.4/1K23/1K
Violent Crime Rate430.6414.0
Property Crime Rate1912.41886.2
Murder Rate5.88.4
Assault Rate333.7276.2
Robbery Rate85.765.8
Burglary Rate217.5279.7
Theft Rate1400.31539.8
Vehicle Theft Rate324.2297.0

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 3 and Sacramento 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 43 in Sacramento.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresno safer than Sacramento?
As of 2026, Sacramento is 2% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 residents compared to Fresno's 23.4. Sacramento earns a C+ safety grade vs Fresno's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Fresno or Sacramento?
Fresno has more violent crime at 431 per 100,000 residents. Sacramento is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Fresno vs Sacramento?
Fresno has a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 (violent: 431/100K, property: 1912/100K). Sacramento has 23 per 1,000 (violent: 414/100K, property: 1886/100K).
Should I move to Fresno or Sacramento?
From a safety perspective, Sacramento has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Fresno (pop. 555,549) and Sacramento (pop. 536,449) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Sacramento's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Fresno and Sacramento compare for property crime?
Sacramento has lower property crime at 1886 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 FranciscoSacramento vs Los AngelesSacramento vs San DiegoSacramento vs San Jose

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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