Is Aurora or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Aurora (Safety Score 38/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,053 for Aurora — 49% lower. Aurora has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 76% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 3.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Aurora — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Aurora, CO
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Aurora | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,052.5 | 2,082.4 | +1,970.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 948.6 | 412.4 | +536.2 |
| Murder Rate | 10.3 | 2.5 | +7.8 |
| Rape Rate | 73.4 | 21.4 | +52.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 136.2 | 77.4 | +58.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 727.9 | 310.9 | +417.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,103.9 | 1,670.0 | +1,433.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 371.2 | 187.4 | +183.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,836.1 | 1,087.1 | +749.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 896.6 | 395.5 | +501.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,053 for Aurora — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Aurora has a violent crime rate of 948.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Aurora, CO
Aurora, Colorado, a large city spanning three counties, was originally founded in the 1880s as a dry community named Fletcher. It is now the third most populous city in Colorado, with a diverse suburban landscape east of Denver. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 397,852, Aurora has a total crime rate of 4,052.5 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.