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San Francisco vs Fresno: 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 Fresno's 23.4 per 1,000, making Fresno 53% safer overall. Fresno 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+

Fresno

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.4/1K
Percentile49%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan FranciscoFresno
Overall Crime Rate49.5/1K23.4/1K
Violent Crime Rate450.0430.6
Property Crime Rate4500.01912.4
Murder Rate6.85.8
Assault Rate288.5333.7
Robbery Rate61.085.7
Burglary Rate699.8217.5
Theft Rate3660.41400.3
Vehicle Theft Rate1091.0324.2

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 2 and Fresno is safer in 7.

Victim Odds Comparison

In San Francisco, you have a 1 in 20 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in Fresno.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco safer than Fresno?
As of 2026, Fresno is 53% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.4 per 1,000 residents compared to San Francisco's 49.5. Fresno 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 Fresno?
San Francisco has more violent crime at 450 per 100,000 residents. Fresno is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in San Francisco vs Fresno?
San Francisco has a crime rate of 49.5 per 1,000 (violent: 450/100K, property: 4500/100K). Fresno has 23.4 per 1,000 (violent: 431/100K, property: 1912/100K).
Should I move to San Francisco or Fresno?
From a safety perspective, Fresno has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. San Francisco (pop. 826,079) and Fresno (pop. 555,549) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Fresno's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do San Francisco and Fresno compare for property crime?
Fresno has lower property crime at 1912 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 JoseFresno vs San DiegoFresno vs San JoseFresno 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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