Is Bakersfield or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Bakersfield (Safety Score 38/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,026 for Bakersfield — 31% lower. Bakersfield has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 63% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 3.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bakersfield — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bakersfield, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bakersfield | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,026.1 | 2,082.4 | +943.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 556.3 | 412.4 | +144.0 |
| Murder Rate | 6.7 | 2.5 | +4.2 |
| Rape Rate | 40.9 | 21.4 | +19.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 125.7 | 77.4 | +48.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 381.4 | 310.9 | +70.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.7 | 1,670.0 | +799.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 537.6 | 187.4 | +350.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,259.0 | 1,087.1 | +171.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 673.1 | 395.5 | +277.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bakersfield or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,026 for Bakersfield — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bakersfield has a violent crime rate of 556.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield, a city in California's Central Valley, is known for its country music heritage, the "Bakersfield Sound." It is a major agricultural and oil-producing region, with a diverse population of over 400,000 residents. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 416,120, Bakersfield has a total crime rate of 3,026.1 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.