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Fresno vs San Bernardino: 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 San Bernardino's 23.1 per 1,000, making San Bernardino 1% safer overall. San Bernardino 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+

San Bernardino

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricFresnoSan Bernardino
Overall Crime Rate23.4/1K23.1/1K
Violent Crime Rate430.6351.2
Property Crime Rate1912.41961.9
Murder Rate5.84.1
Assault Rate333.7230.8
Robbery Rate85.755.0
Burglary Rate217.5370.8
Theft Rate1400.31299.4
Vehicle Theft Rate324.2212.8

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 2 and San Bernardino 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 43 in San Bernardino.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresno safer than San Bernardino?
As of 2026, San Bernardino is 1% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.1 per 1,000 residents compared to Fresno's 23.4. San Bernardino earns a C+ safety grade vs Fresno's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Fresno or San Bernardino?
Fresno has more violent crime at 431 per 100,000 residents. San Bernardino is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Fresno vs San Bernardino?
Fresno has a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 (violent: 431/100K, property: 1912/100K). San Bernardino has 23.1 per 1,000 (violent: 351/100K, property: 1962/100K).
Should I move to Fresno or San Bernardino?
From a safety perspective, San Bernardino has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Fresno (pop. 555,549) and San Bernardino (pop. 222,044) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. San Bernardino's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Fresno and San Bernardino compare for property crime?
Fresno has lower property crime at 1912 per 100K vs San Bernardino's 1962. 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 FranciscoSan Bernardino vs SacramentoSan Bernardino vs Long BeachSan Bernardino 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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