Is Arcata or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Arcata (Safety Score 38/100 vs 34/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,271 for Arcata — 8% lower. Arcata has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Arcata has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 72.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Arcata — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Arcata, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Arcata | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,271.4 | 2,082.4 | +189.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 507.7 | 412.4 | +95.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 73.3 | 21.4 | +51.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 120.4 | 77.4 | +43.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 314.0 | 310.9 | +3.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,763.8 | 1,670.0 | +93.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 193.7 | 187.4 | +6.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,423.6 | 1,087.1 | +336.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 146.5 | 395.5 | -249.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arcata or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,271 for Arcata — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Arcata has a violent crime rate of 507.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Arcata, CA
Arcata, California, a Humboldt Bay city and home to Cal Poly Humboldt, is known for its redwood forests and counter-culture heritage. Its population of around 19,000 residents enjoys a temperate climate and a strong sense of community. With a safety score of 34/100 and a population coverage of 19,107, Arcata has a total crime rate of 2,271.4 per 100,000 residents.
About San Diego, CA
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. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 1,389,024, San Diego has a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents.