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San Jose vs Sacramento: 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 Sacramento's 23 per 1,000, making Sacramento 11% safer overall. Sacramento 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+

Sacramento

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23/1K
Percentile50%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan JoseSacramento
Overall Crime Rate25.9/1K23/1K
Violent Crime Rate498.7414.0
Property Crime Rate2088.91886.2
Murder Rate8.58.4
Assault Rate310.2276.2
Robbery Rate102.265.8
Burglary Rate233.4279.7
Theft Rate1440.11539.8
Vehicle Theft Rate394.7297.0

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 2 and Sacramento is safer in 7.

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 Sacramento.

Full Safety Reports

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

Weather Comparison: San Jose vs Sacramento

San Jose Climate Overview

Annual High70.9°F
Annual Low49.9°F
Annual Rain14.7"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months9
Best MonthAugust
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarm

Sacramento Climate Overview

Annual High74.1°F
Annual Low50°F
Annual Rain19.6"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months7
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

San JoseSacramentoHigh/Low °F range
40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Sacramento is 11°F warmer in summer than San Jose, but Sacramento is 3°F colder in winter than San Jose. San Jose has more comfortable weather months (9 vs 7).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Jose safer than Sacramento?
As of 2026, Sacramento is 11% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23 per 1,000 residents compared to San Jose's 25.9. Sacramento 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 Sacramento?
San Jose has more violent crime at 499 per 100,000 residents. Sacramento is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in San Jose vs Sacramento?
San Jose has a crime rate of 25.9 per 1,000 (violent: 499/100K, property: 2089/100K). Sacramento has 23 per 1,000 (violent: 414/100K, property: 1886/100K).
Should I move to San Jose or Sacramento?
From a safety perspective, Sacramento has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. San Jose (pop. 989,814) and Sacramento (pop. 536,449) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Sacramento's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do San Jose and Sacramento compare for property crime?
Sacramento has lower property crime at 1886 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 FranciscoSacramento vs Los AngelesSacramento vs San DiegoSacramento vs San Francisco

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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