Is Atwater or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Atwater (Safety Score 38/100 vs 21/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,904 for Atwater — 28% lower. Atwater has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 60% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 43.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Atwater — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Atwater, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Atwater | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,904.1 | 2,082.4 | +821.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 710.4 | 412.4 | +298.1 |
| Murder Rate | 6.2 | 2.5 | +3.7 |
| Rape Rate | 56.1 | 21.4 | +34.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 56.1 | 77.4 | -21.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 592.0 | 310.9 | +281.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,193.6 | 1,670.0 | +523.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 271.1 | 187.4 | +83.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,748.0 | 1,087.1 | +661.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 174.5 | 395.5 | -221.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Atwater or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,904 for Atwater — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Atwater has a violent crime rate of 710.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Atwater, CA
Atwater, in Merced County, is a Central Valley city with roots in agriculture and the former Castle Air Force Base. Its diverse population reflects a blend of rural and suburban influences. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 32,093, Atwater has a total crime rate of 2,904.1 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.