Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, San Diego, CA has a Safety Score of 38/100 — higher crime than 62% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,843 of 2,971 US cities and #128 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is San Diego, California Safe?
San Diego, California, a major port city with a significant Hispanic population, sits on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border. Known for its mild climate and Balboa Park, it's also home to a large naval presence.
San Diego has a safety score of 38/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
San Diego ranks #128 out of 264 cities in California and #1843 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 38th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 62% of US cities.
Year over year, San Diego's total crime rate decreased by 6.6%, with violent crime declining 1.4%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
San Diego Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 5,728 | 412.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 35 | 2.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 297 | 21.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 1,075 | 77.4 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 4,319 | 310.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 23,197 | 1,670.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 2,603 | 187.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 15,100 | 1,087.1 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5,494 | 395.5 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
San Diego vs California Average
How does San Diego's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | San Diego | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 518.0 | -20.4% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,161.3 | -22.7% |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 4.4 | -42.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,679.3 | -22.3% |
San Diego Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for San Diego, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,389,024 | 2,082.4 | 412.4 | 1,670.0 |
| 2023 | 1,378,349 | 2,229.8 | 418.1 | 1,811.7 |
| 2022 | 1,377,838 | 2,259.5 | 432.9 | 1,826.6 |
| 2021 | 1,434,673 | 2,337.3 | 403.2 | 1,934.1 |
| 2020 | 1,437,608 | 2,060.7 | 368.9 | 1,691.8 |
| 2019 | 1,441,737 | 2,244.2 | 361.7 | 1,882.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego, California safe?
San Diego has a safety score of 38/100, meaning it has less crime than about 38% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents in 2024, San Diego is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in San Diego, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,670.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does San Diego compare to the national average?
San Diego's total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 1,389,024 residents.
What types of crime are most common in San Diego?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in San Diego include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is San Diego safe to visit?
Like any city, San Diego has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 38/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.