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Oakland vs Modesto: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Oakland has a crime rate of 27.3 per 1,000 residents vs Modesto's 25.1 per 1,000, making Modesto 8% safer overall. Modesto earns a C+ safety grade compared to Oakland's C. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C

Oakland

California

Overall GradeC
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate27.3/1K
Percentile39%
C+

Modesto

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25.1/1K
Percentile44%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricOaklandModesto
Overall Crime Rate27.3/1K25.1/1K
Violent Crime Rate483.2440.4
Property Crime Rate2243.22073.3
Murder Rate6.18.4
Assault Rate332.4345.1
Robbery Rate122.965.6
Burglary Rate242.5219.2
Theft Rate1707.01876.3
Vehicle Theft Rate538.5332.8

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, Oakland is safer in 3 and Modesto is safer in 6.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Oakland, you have a 1 in 37 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 40 in Modesto.

Full Safety Reports

C
Oakland, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Modesto, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oakland safer than Modesto?
As of 2026, Modesto is 8% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25.1 per 1,000 residents compared to Oakland's 27.3. Modesto earns a C+ safety grade vs Oakland's C. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Oakland or Modesto?
Oakland has more violent crime at 483 per 100,000 residents. Modesto is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Oakland vs Modesto?
Oakland has a crime rate of 27.3 per 1,000 (violent: 483/100K, property: 2243/100K). Modesto has 25.1 per 1,000 (violent: 440/100K, property: 2073/100K).
Should I move to Oakland or Modesto?
From a safety perspective, Modesto has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Oakland (pop. 440,838) and Modesto (pop. 219,652) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Modesto's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Oakland and Modesto compare for property crime?
Modesto has lower property crime at 2073 per 100K vs Oakland's 2243. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Oakland vs San JoseOakland vs San FranciscoOakland vs FresnoModesto vs FresnoModesto vs SacramentoModesto 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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