Is Atascadero or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Atascadero is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 68/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,152 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 45% lower. Atascadero has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Atascadero has a 65% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 46.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Atascadero — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Atascadero, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Atascadero | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,152.1 | 2,082.4 | -930.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 181.9 | 412.4 | -230.5 |
| Murder Rate | 3.4 | 2.5 | +0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 23.6 | 21.4 | +2.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 27.0 | 77.4 | -50.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 124.6 | 310.9 | -186.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 970.2 | 1,670.0 | -699.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 94.3 | 187.4 | -93.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 781.5 | 1,087.1 | -305.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 94.3 | 395.5 | -301.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Atascadero or San Diego safer?
Atascadero is safer with a total crime rate of 1,152 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Atascadero has a violent crime rate of 181.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Atascadero has lower violent crime.
About Atascadero, CA
Atascadero, a city in San Luis Obispo County, is nestled in a valley of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Home to the historic Atascadero City Hall, a domed Beaux-Arts building, its population is around 30,000 residents. With a safety score of 68/100 and a population coverage of 29,685, Atascadero has a total crime rate of 1,152.1 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.