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San Jose vs Long Beach: 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 Long Beach's 23.2 per 1,000, making Long Beach 10% safer overall. Long Beach 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+

Long Beach

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.2/1K
Percentile49%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan JoseLong Beach
Overall Crime Rate25.9/1K23.2/1K
Violent Crime Rate498.7407.8
Property Crime Rate2088.91911.2
Murder Rate8.58.0
Assault Rate310.2286.3
Robbery Rate102.263.1
Burglary Rate233.4244.1
Theft Rate1440.11294.8
Vehicle Theft Rate394.7276.5

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 Jose is safer in 1 and Long Beach is safer in 8.

Victim Odds Comparison

In San Jose, you have a 1 in 39 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in Long Beach.

Full Safety Reports

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Jose safer than Long Beach?
As of 2026, Long Beach is 10% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.2 per 1,000 residents compared to San Jose's 25.9. Long Beach 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 Long Beach?
San Jose has more violent crime at 499 per 100,000 residents. Long Beach is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in San Jose vs Long Beach?
San Jose has a crime rate of 25.9 per 1,000 (violent: 499/100K, property: 2089/100K). Long Beach has 23.2 per 1,000 (violent: 408/100K, property: 1911/100K).
Should I move to San Jose or Long Beach?
From a safety perspective, Long Beach has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. San Jose (pop. 989,814) and Long Beach (pop. 450,469) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Long Beach's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do San Jose and Long Beach compare for property crime?
Long Beach has lower property crime at 1911 per 100K vs San Jose'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 FranciscoLong Beach vs San FranciscoLong Beach vs FresnoLong Beach 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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