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Oakland vs San Bernardino: 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 San Bernardino's 23.1 per 1,000, making San Bernardino 15% safer overall. San Bernardino 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+

San Bernardino

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricOaklandSan Bernardino
Overall Crime Rate27.3/1K23.1/1K
Violent Crime Rate483.2351.2
Property Crime Rate2243.21961.9
Murder Rate6.14.1
Assault Rate332.4230.8
Robbery Rate122.955.0
Burglary Rate242.5370.8
Theft Rate1707.01299.4
Vehicle Theft Rate538.5212.8

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 1 and San Bernardino is safer in 8.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Oakland, you have a 1 in 37 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in San Bernardino.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oakland safer than San Bernardino?
As of 2026, San Bernardino is 15% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.1 per 1,000 residents compared to Oakland's 27.3. San Bernardino earns a C+ safety grade vs Oakland's C. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Oakland or San Bernardino?
Oakland has more violent crime at 483 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 Oakland vs San Bernardino?
Oakland has a crime rate of 27.3 per 1,000 (violent: 483/100K, property: 2243/100K). San Bernardino has 23.1 per 1,000 (violent: 351/100K, property: 1962/100K).
Should I move to Oakland or San Bernardino?
From a safety perspective, San Bernardino has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Oakland (pop. 440,838) 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 Oakland and San Bernardino compare for property crime?
San Bernardino has lower property crime at 1962 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 FresnoSan Bernardino vs FresnoSan Bernardino vs SacramentoSan Bernardino 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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