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San Francisco vs Oakland: 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 Oakland's 27.3 per 1,000, making Oakland 45% safer overall. Oakland 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

Oakland

California

Overall GradeC
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate27.3/1K
Percentile39%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan FranciscoOakland
Overall Crime Rate49.5/1K27.3/1K
Violent Crime Rate450.0483.2
Property Crime Rate4500.02243.2
Murder Rate6.86.1
Assault Rate288.5332.4
Robbery Rate61.0122.9
Burglary Rate699.8242.5
Theft Rate3660.41707.0
Vehicle Theft Rate1091.0538.5

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 3 and Oakland is safer in 6.

Victim Odds Comparison

In San Francisco, you have a 1 in 20 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 37 in Oakland.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco safer than Oakland?
As of 2026, Oakland is 45% safer overall, with a crime rate of 27.3 per 1,000 residents compared to San Francisco's 49.5. Oakland 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 Oakland?
Oakland has more violent crime at 483 per 100,000 residents. San Francisco is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in San Francisco vs Oakland?
San Francisco has a crime rate of 49.5 per 1,000 (violent: 450/100K, property: 4500/100K). Oakland has 27.3 per 1,000 (violent: 483/100K, property: 2243/100K).
Should I move to San Francisco or Oakland?
From a safety perspective, Oakland has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. San Francisco (pop. 826,079) and Oakland (pop. 440,838) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Oakland's C safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do San Francisco and Oakland compare for property crime?
Oakland has lower property crime at 2243 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 JoseOakland vs San JoseOakland vs FresnoOakland 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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