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San Diego vs San Jose: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

San Diego has a crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 residents vs San Jose's 25.9 per 1,000, making San Diego 17% safer overall. San Diego earns a B- safety grade compared to San Jose's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

B-

San Diego

California

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeB-
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.5/1K
Percentile54%
C+

San Jose

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate25.9/1K
Percentile42%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan DiegoSan Jose
Overall Crime Rate21.5/1K25.9/1K
Violent Crime Rate350.0498.7
Property Crime Rate1800.02088.9
Murder Rate6.38.5
Assault Rate243.0310.2
Robbery Rate75.3102.2
Burglary Rate256.4233.4
Theft Rate1479.61440.1
Vehicle Theft Rate338.9394.7

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, San Diego is safer in 7 and San Jose is safer in 2.

Victim Odds Comparison

In San Diego, you have a 1 in 47 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 39 in San Jose.

Full Safety Reports

B-
San Diego, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
San Jose, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: San Diego vs San Jose

San Diego Climate Overview

Annual High70.7°F
Annual Low57.1°F
Annual Rain10.8"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months12
Best MonthJuly
Worst MonthFebruary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarm

San Jose Climate Overview

Annual High70.9°F
Annual Low49.9°F
Annual Rain14.7"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months9
Best MonthAugust
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

San DiegoSan JoseHigh/Low °F range
40°50°60°70°80°90°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

San Jose is 5°F warmer in summer than San Diego, but San Jose is 6°F colder in winter than San Diego. San Diego has more comfortable weather months (12 vs 9).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego safer than San Jose?
As of 2026, San Diego is 17% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 residents compared to San Jose's 25.9. San Diego earns a B- safety grade vs San Jose's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, San Diego or San Jose?
San Jose has more violent crime at 499 per 100,000 residents. San Diego is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in San Diego vs San Jose?
San Diego has a crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 (violent: 350/100K, property: 1800/100K). San Jose has 25.9 per 1,000 (violent: 499/100K, property: 2089/100K).
Should I move to San Diego or San Jose?
From a safety perspective, San Diego has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. San Diego (pop. 1,406,106) and San Jose (pop. 989,814) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. San Diego's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do San Diego and San Jose compare for property crime?
San Diego has lower property crime at 1800 per 100K vs San Jose's 2089. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

San Diego vs Los AngelesSan Diego vs San FranciscoSan Diego vs AustinSan Jose vs San FranciscoSan Jose vs San FranciscoSan Jose 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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