CCCityCheck
Find Your City
SafetyCostThings to DoToolsDataSearch

Fresno vs Santa Ana: 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 Santa Ana's 27.2 per 1,000, making Fresno 14% safer overall. Fresno earns a C+ safety grade compared to Santa Ana'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

Santa Ana

California

Overall GradeC
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC
Crime Rate27.2/1K
Percentile39%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricFresnoSanta Ana
Overall Crime Rate23.4/1K27.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate430.6412.8
Property Crime Rate1912.42310.0
Murder Rate5.88.4
Assault Rate333.7344.1
Robbery Rate85.782.3
Burglary Rate217.5346.5
Theft Rate1400.31818.6
Vehicle Theft Rate324.2585.8

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 7 and Santa Ana is safer in 2.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Fresno, you have a 1 in 43 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 37 in Santa Ana.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresno safer than Santa Ana?
As of 2026, Fresno is 14% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 residents compared to Santa Ana's 27.2. Fresno earns a C+ safety grade vs Santa Ana's C. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Fresno or Santa Ana?
Fresno has more violent crime at 431 per 100,000 residents. Santa Ana is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Fresno vs Santa Ana?
Fresno has a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 (violent: 431/100K, property: 1912/100K). Santa Ana has 27.2 per 1,000 (violent: 413/100K, property: 2310/100K).
Should I move to Fresno or Santa Ana?
From a safety perspective, Fresno has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Fresno (pop. 555,549) and Santa Ana (pop. 315,586) 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 Santa Ana compare for property crime?
Fresno has lower property crime at 1912 per 100K vs Santa Ana's 2310. 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 FranciscoSanta Ana vs San FranciscoSanta Ana vs SacramentoSanta Ana 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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities