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

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

San Jose has a crime rate of 25.9 per 1,000 residents vs Bakersfield's 24.5 per 1,000, making Bakersfield 5% safer overall. Bakersfield earns a C+ safety grade compared to San Jose's C+. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C+

San Jose

California

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

Bakersfield

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan JoseBakersfield
Overall Crime Rate25.9/1K24.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate498.7363.0
Property Crime Rate2088.92089.0
Murder Rate8.55.3
Assault Rate310.2237.2
Robbery Rate102.281.9
Burglary Rate233.4319.3
Theft Rate1440.11830.1
Vehicle Theft Rate394.7425.1

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 Jose is safer in 4 and Bakersfield is safer in 5.

Victim Odds Comparison

In San Jose, you have a 1 in 39 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 41 in Bakersfield.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Jose safer than Bakersfield?
As of 2026, Bakersfield is 5% safer overall, with a crime rate of 24.5 per 1,000 residents compared to San Jose's 25.9. Bakersfield earns a C+ safety grade vs San Jose's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, San Jose or Bakersfield?
San Jose has more violent crime at 499 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 Jose vs Bakersfield?
San Jose has a crime rate of 25.9 per 1,000 (violent: 499/100K, property: 2089/100K). Bakersfield has 24.5 per 1,000 (violent: 363/100K, property: 2089/100K).
Should I move to San Jose or Bakersfield?
From a safety perspective, Bakersfield has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. San Jose (pop. 989,814) 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 Jose and Bakersfield compare for property crime?
San Jose has lower property crime at 2089 per 100K vs Bakersfield's 2089. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

San Jose vs San FranciscoSan Jose vs San DiegoSan Jose vs San FranciscoBakersfield vs San FranciscoBakersfield 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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