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Sacramento vs Modesto: 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 Modesto's 25.1 per 1,000, making Sacramento 8% safer overall. Sacramento earns a C+ safety grade compared to Modesto'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+

Modesto

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSacramentoModesto
Overall Crime Rate23/1K25.1/1K
Violent Crime Rate414.0440.4
Property Crime Rate1886.22073.3
Murder Rate8.48.4
Assault Rate276.2345.1
Robbery Rate65.865.6
Burglary Rate279.7219.2
Theft Rate1539.81876.3
Vehicle Theft Rate297.0332.8

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, Sacramento is safer in 6 and Modesto is safer in 2, with 1 tied.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Sacramento, you have a 1 in 43 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 40 in Modesto.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sacramento safer than Modesto?
As of 2026, Sacramento is 8% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 residents compared to Modesto's 25.1. Sacramento earns a C+ safety grade vs Modesto's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Sacramento or Modesto?
Modesto has more violent crime at 440 per 100,000 residents. Sacramento is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Sacramento vs Modesto?
Sacramento has a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 (violent: 414/100K, property: 1886/100K). Modesto has 25.1 per 1,000 (violent: 440/100K, property: 2073/100K).
Should I move to Sacramento or Modesto?
From a safety perspective, Sacramento has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Sacramento (pop. 536,449) and Modesto (pop. 219,652) 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 Modesto compare for property crime?
Sacramento has lower property crime at 1886 per 100K vs Modesto's 2073. 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 JoseModesto vs FresnoModesto vs Long BeachModesto vs Oakland

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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