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Riverside vs Irvine: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Riverside has a crime rate of 21.7 per 1,000 residents vs Irvine's 11.6 per 1,000, making Irvine 47% safer overall. Irvine earns a B+ safety grade compared to Riverside's B-. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

B-

Riverside

California

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.7/1K
Percentile53%
B+

Irvine

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricRiversideIrvine
Overall Crime Rate21.7/1K11.6/1K
Violent Crime Rate357.160.0
Property Crime Rate1811.71100.0
Murder Rate4.40.9
Assault Rate268.442.6
Robbery Rate82.813.2
Burglary Rate325.4172.1
Theft Rate1295.1730.0
Vehicle Theft Rate461.1262.4

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, Riverside is safer in 0 and Irvine is safer in 9.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Riverside, you have a 1 in 46 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 86 in Irvine.

Full Safety Reports

B-
Riverside, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B+
Irvine, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Riverside safer than Irvine?
As of 2026, Irvine is 47% safer overall, with a crime rate of 11.6 per 1,000 residents compared to Riverside's 21.7. Irvine earns a B+ safety grade vs Riverside's B-. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Riverside or Irvine?
Riverside has more violent crime at 357 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 Riverside vs Irvine?
Riverside has a crime rate of 21.7 per 1,000 (violent: 357/100K, property: 1812/100K). Irvine has 11.6 per 1,000 (violent: 60/100K, property: 1100/100K).
Should I move to Riverside or Irvine?
From a safety perspective, Irvine has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Riverside (pop. 323,057) and Irvine (pop. 318,764) 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 Riverside and Irvine compare for property crime?
Irvine has lower property crime at 1100 per 100K vs Riverside's 1812. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Riverside vs San FranciscoRiverside vs FresnoRiverside vs SacramentoIrvine vs PlanoIrvine vs ScottsdaleIrvine vs Gilbert

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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