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San Jose vs San Francisco: 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 San Francisco's 49.5 per 1,000, making San Jose 48% safer overall. San Jose earns a C+ safety grade compared to San Francisco's F. 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%
F

San Francisco

California

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate49.5/1K
Percentile4%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan JoseSan Francisco
Overall Crime Rate25.9/1K49.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate498.7450.0
Property Crime Rate2088.94500.0
Murder Rate8.56.8
Assault Rate310.2288.5
Robbery Rate102.261.0
Burglary Rate233.4699.8
Theft Rate1440.13660.4
Vehicle Theft Rate394.71091.0

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 5 and San Francisco is safer in 4.

Victim Odds Comparison

In San Jose, you have a 1 in 39 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 20 in San Francisco.

Full Safety Reports

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

Weather Comparison: San Jose vs San Francisco

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

San Francisco Climate Overview

Annual High64.1°F
Annual Low51°F
Annual Rain22.2"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months9
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Comfortable

Monthly Temperature Comparison

San JoseSan FranciscoHigh/Low °F range
40°50°60°70°80°90°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

San Jose is 12°F warmer in summer than San Francisco, but San Jose is 4°F colder in winter than San Francisco. San Francisco is wetter with 22" of annual rain compared to 15".

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Jose safer than San Francisco?
As of 2026, San Jose is 48% safer overall, with a crime rate of 25.9 per 1,000 residents compared to San Francisco's 49.5. San Jose earns a C+ safety grade vs San Francisco's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, San Jose or San Francisco?
San Jose has more violent crime at 499 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 Jose vs San Francisco?
San Jose has a crime rate of 25.9 per 1,000 (violent: 499/100K, property: 2089/100K). San Francisco has 49.5 per 1,000 (violent: 450/100K, property: 4500/100K).
Should I move to San Jose or San Francisco?
From a safety perspective, San Jose has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. San Jose (pop. 989,814) and San Francisco (pop. 826,079) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. San Jose's C+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do San Jose and San Francisco compare for property crime?
San Jose has lower property crime at 2089 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 Jose vs San DiegoSan Jose vs FresnoSan Jose vs SacramentoSan Francisco vs Los AngelesSan Francisco vs San DiegoSan Francisco vs New York

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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