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Sacramento vs Santa Ana: 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 Santa Ana's 27.2 per 1,000, making Sacramento 15% safer overall. Sacramento earns a C+ safety grade compared to Santa Ana'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

Santa Ana

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSacramentoSanta Ana
Overall Crime Rate23/1K27.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate414.0412.8
Property Crime Rate1886.22310.0
Murder Rate8.48.4
Assault Rate276.2344.1
Robbery Rate65.882.3
Burglary Rate279.7346.5
Theft Rate1539.81818.6
Vehicle Theft Rate297.0585.8

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 7 and Santa Ana is safer in 1, 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 37 in Santa Ana.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sacramento safer than Santa Ana?
As of 2026, Sacramento is 15% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 residents compared to Santa Ana's 27.2. Sacramento earns a C+ safety grade vs Santa Ana's C. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Sacramento or Santa Ana?
Sacramento has more violent crime at 414 per 100,000 residents. Santa Ana is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Sacramento vs Santa Ana?
Sacramento has a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 (violent: 414/100K, property: 1886/100K). Santa Ana has 27.2 per 1,000 (violent: 413/100K, property: 2310/100K).
Should I move to Sacramento or Santa Ana?
From a safety perspective, Sacramento has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Sacramento (pop. 536,449) and Santa Ana (pop. 315,586) 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 Santa Ana compare for property crime?
Sacramento has lower property crime at 1886 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

Sacramento vs Los AngelesSacramento vs San DiegoSacramento vs San JoseSanta Ana vs San FranciscoSanta Ana vs FresnoSanta Ana 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.

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