CCCityCheck
Find Your City
SafetyCostThings to DoToolsDataSearch

Sacramento vs Riverside: 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 Riverside's 21.7 per 1,000, making Riverside 6% safer overall. Riverside earns a B- safety grade compared to Sacramento'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%
B-

Riverside

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSacramentoRiverside
Overall Crime Rate23/1K21.7/1K
Violent Crime Rate414.0357.1
Property Crime Rate1886.21811.7
Murder Rate8.44.4
Assault Rate276.2268.4
Robbery Rate65.882.8
Burglary Rate279.7325.4
Theft Rate1539.81295.1
Vehicle Theft Rate297.0461.1

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 3 and Riverside is safer in 6.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Sacramento, you have a 1 in 43 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 46 in Riverside.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sacramento safer than Riverside?
As of 2026, Riverside is 6% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.7 per 1,000 residents compared to Sacramento's 23. Riverside earns a B- safety grade vs Sacramento's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Sacramento or Riverside?
Sacramento has more violent crime at 414 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 Sacramento vs Riverside?
Sacramento has a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 (violent: 414/100K, property: 1886/100K). Riverside has 21.7 per 1,000 (violent: 357/100K, property: 1812/100K).
Should I move to Sacramento or Riverside?
From a safety perspective, Riverside has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Sacramento (pop. 536,449) and Riverside (pop. 323,057) 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 Sacramento and Riverside compare for property crime?
Riverside has lower property crime at 1812 per 100K vs Sacramento's 1886. 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 JoseRiverside vs San FranciscoRiverside vs FresnoRiverside 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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities