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Irvine vs Santa Ana: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Irvine has a crime rate of 11.6 per 1,000 residents vs Santa Ana's 27.2 per 1,000, making Irvine 57% safer overall. Irvine earns a B+ safety grade compared to Santa Ana's C. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

B+

Irvine

California

Overall GradeB+
Violent CrimeB+
Property CrimeB+
Crime Rate11.6/1K
Percentile78%
C

Santa Ana

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricIrvineSanta Ana
Overall Crime Rate11.6/1K27.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate60.0412.8
Property Crime Rate1100.02310.0
Murder Rate0.98.4
Assault Rate42.6344.1
Robbery Rate13.282.3
Burglary Rate172.1346.5
Theft Rate730.01818.6
Vehicle Theft Rate262.4585.8

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, Irvine is safer in 9 and Santa Ana is safer in 0.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Irvine, you have a 1 in 86 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 37 in Santa Ana.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Irvine safer than Santa Ana?
As of 2026, Irvine is 57% safer overall, with a crime rate of 11.6 per 1,000 residents compared to Santa Ana's 27.2. Irvine earns a B+ safety grade vs Santa Ana's C. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Irvine or Santa Ana?
Santa Ana has more violent crime at 413 per 100,000 residents. Irvine is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Irvine vs Santa Ana?
Irvine has a crime rate of 11.6 per 1,000 (violent: 60/100K, property: 1100/100K). Santa Ana has 27.2 per 1,000 (violent: 413/100K, property: 2310/100K).
Should I move to Irvine or Santa Ana?
From a safety perspective, Irvine has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Irvine (pop. 318,764) and Santa Ana (pop. 315,586) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Irvine's B+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Irvine and Santa Ana compare for property crime?
Irvine has lower property crime at 1100 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

Irvine vs PlanoIrvine vs ScottsdaleIrvine vs GilbertSanta Ana vs San FranciscoSanta Ana vs FresnoSanta Ana 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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