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San Francisco vs Bakersfield: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

San Francisco has a crime rate of 49.5 per 1,000 residents vs Bakersfield's 24.5 per 1,000, making Bakersfield 51% safer overall. Bakersfield earns a C+ safety grade compared to San Francisco's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

San Francisco

California

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate49.5/1K
Percentile4%
C+

Bakersfield

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan FranciscoBakersfield
Overall Crime Rate49.5/1K24.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate450.0363.0
Property Crime Rate4500.02089.0
Murder Rate6.85.3
Assault Rate288.5237.2
Robbery Rate61.081.9
Burglary Rate699.8319.3
Theft Rate3660.41830.1
Vehicle Theft Rate1091.0425.1

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, San Francisco is safer in 1 and Bakersfield is safer in 8.

Victim Odds Comparison

In San Francisco, you have a 1 in 20 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 41 in Bakersfield.

Full Safety Reports

F
San Francisco, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Bakersfield, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco safer than Bakersfield?
As of 2026, Bakersfield is 51% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24.5 per 1,000 residents compared to San Francisco's 49.5. Bakersfield earns a C+ safety grade vs San Francisco's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, San Francisco or Bakersfield?
San Francisco has more violent crime at 450 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 San Francisco vs Bakersfield?
San Francisco has a crime rate of 49.5 per 1,000 (violent: 450/100K, property: 4500/100K). Bakersfield has 24.5 per 1,000 (violent: 363/100K, property: 2089/100K).
Should I move to San Francisco or Bakersfield?
From a safety perspective, Bakersfield has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. San Francisco (pop. 826,079) and Bakersfield (pop. 422,165) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Bakersfield's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do San Francisco and Bakersfield compare for property crime?
Bakersfield has lower property crime at 2089 per 100K vs San Francisco's 4500. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

San Francisco vs Los AngelesSan Francisco vs San DiegoSan Francisco vs San JoseBakersfield vs San JoseBakersfield vs FresnoBakersfield vs Sacramento

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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