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San Francisco vs Riverside: 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 Riverside's 21.7 per 1,000, making Riverside 56% safer overall. Riverside earns a B- 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%
B-

Riverside

California

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.7/1K
Percentile53%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan FranciscoRiverside
Overall Crime Rate49.5/1K21.7/1K
Violent Crime Rate450.0357.1
Property Crime Rate4500.01811.7
Murder Rate6.84.4
Assault Rate288.5268.4
Robbery Rate61.082.8
Burglary Rate699.8325.4
Theft Rate3660.41295.1
Vehicle Theft Rate1091.0461.1

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 Riverside 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 46 in Riverside.

Full Safety Reports

F
San Francisco, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B-
Riverside, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco safer than Riverside?
As of 2026, Riverside is 56% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.7 per 1,000 residents compared to San Francisco's 49.5. Riverside earns a B- safety grade vs San Francisco's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, San Francisco or Riverside?
San Francisco has more violent crime at 450 per 100,000 residents. Riverside is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in San Francisco vs Riverside?
San Francisco has a crime rate of 49.5 per 1,000 (violent: 450/100K, property: 4500/100K). Riverside has 21.7 per 1,000 (violent: 357/100K, property: 1812/100K).
Should I move to San Francisco or Riverside?
From a safety perspective, Riverside has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. San Francisco (pop. 826,079) and Riverside (pop. 323,057) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Riverside's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do San Francisco and Riverside compare for property crime?
Riverside has lower property crime at 1812 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 JoseRiverside vs FresnoRiverside vs SacramentoRiverside 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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