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Riverside vs Santa Ana: 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 Santa Ana's 27.2 per 1,000, making Riverside 20% safer overall. Riverside earns a B- safety grade compared to Santa Ana's C. 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%
C

Santa Ana

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricRiversideSanta Ana
Overall Crime Rate21.7/1K27.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate357.1412.8
Property Crime Rate1811.72310.0
Murder Rate4.48.4
Assault Rate268.4344.1
Robbery Rate82.882.3
Burglary Rate325.4346.5
Theft Rate1295.11818.6
Vehicle Theft Rate461.1585.8

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, Riverside is safer in 8 and Santa Ana is safer in 1.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Riverside, you have a 1 in 46 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 37 in Santa Ana.

Full Safety Reports

B-
Riverside, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C
Santa Ana, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Riverside safer than Santa Ana?
As of 2026, Riverside is 20% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.7 per 1,000 residents compared to Santa Ana's 27.2. Riverside earns a B- safety grade vs Santa Ana's C. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Riverside or Santa Ana?
Santa Ana has more violent crime at 413 per 100,000 residents. Riverside is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Riverside vs Santa Ana?
Riverside has a crime rate of 21.7 per 1,000 (violent: 357/100K, property: 1812/100K). Santa Ana has 27.2 per 1,000 (violent: 413/100K, property: 2310/100K).
Should I move to Riverside or Santa Ana?
From a safety perspective, Riverside has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Riverside (pop. 323,057) and Santa Ana (pop. 315,586) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Riverside's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Riverside and Santa Ana compare for property crime?
Riverside has lower property crime at 1812 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

Riverside vs San FranciscoRiverside vs FresnoRiverside vs SacramentoSanta 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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