Is Barstow or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Barstow (Safety Score 38/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,751 for Barstow — 44% lower. Barstow has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 71% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 56.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Barstow — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Barstow, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Barstow | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,751.5 | 2,082.4 | +1,669.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,112.1 | 412.4 | +699.8 |
| Murder Rate | 4.0 | 2.5 | +1.5 |
| Rape Rate | 88.7 | 21.4 | +67.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 266.0 | 77.4 | +188.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 749.5 | 310.9 | +438.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,639.3 | 1,670.0 | +969.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 656.8 | 187.4 | +469.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,386.2 | 1,087.1 | +299.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 596.4 | 395.5 | +200.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barstow or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,751 for Barstow — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Barstow has a violent crime rate of 1,112.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Barstow, CA
Barstow, a Mojave Desert city, is a historic railroad town and home to Casa del Desierto, a Harvey House hotel. Situated at the junction of I-15 and I-40, it serves as a crucial transportation hub. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 24,817, Barstow has a total crime rate of 3,751.5 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.