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Sacramento vs Bakersfield: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Sacramento has a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 residents vs Bakersfield's 24.5 per 1,000, making Sacramento 6% safer overall. Sacramento earns a C+ safety grade compared to Bakersfield's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C+

Sacramento

California

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

Bakersfield

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate24.5/1K
Percentile46%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSacramentoBakersfield
Overall Crime Rate23/1K24.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate414.0363.0
Property Crime Rate1886.22089.0
Murder Rate8.45.3
Assault Rate276.2237.2
Robbery Rate65.881.9
Burglary Rate279.7319.3
Theft Rate1539.81830.1
Vehicle Theft Rate297.0425.1

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, Sacramento is safer in 6 and Bakersfield is safer in 3.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Sacramento, you have a 1 in 43 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 41 in Bakersfield.

Full Safety Reports

C+
Sacramento, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Bakersfield, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sacramento safer than Bakersfield?
As of 2026, Sacramento is 6% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 residents compared to Bakersfield's 24.5. Sacramento earns a C+ safety grade vs Bakersfield's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Sacramento or Bakersfield?
Sacramento has more violent crime at 414 per 100,000 residents. Bakersfield is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Sacramento vs Bakersfield?
Sacramento has a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 (violent: 414/100K, property: 1886/100K). Bakersfield has 24.5 per 1,000 (violent: 363/100K, property: 2089/100K).
Should I move to Sacramento or Bakersfield?
From a safety perspective, Sacramento has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Sacramento (pop. 536,449) and Bakersfield (pop. 422,165) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Sacramento's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Sacramento and Bakersfield compare for property crime?
Sacramento has lower property crime at 1886 per 100K vs Bakersfield's 2089. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Sacramento vs Los AngelesSacramento vs San DiegoSacramento vs San JoseBakersfield vs San JoseBakersfield vs San FranciscoBakersfield vs Fresno

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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