Is Bell Gardens or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bell Gardens is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 45/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,864 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 10% lower. Bell Gardens has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 42% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 37.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bell Gardens — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bell Gardens, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bell Gardens | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,864.3 | 2,082.4 | -218.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 388.1 | 412.4 | -24.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 2.5 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 24.4 | 21.4 | +3.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 133.0 | 77.4 | +55.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 228.0 | 310.9 | -83.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,476.3 | 1,670.0 | -193.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 135.7 | 187.4 | -51.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 835.8 | 1,087.1 | -251.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 504.8 | 395.5 | +109.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bell Gardens or San Diego safer?
Bell Gardens is safer with a total crime rate of 1,864 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bell Gardens has a violent crime rate of 388.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Bell Gardens has lower violent crime.
About Bell Gardens, CA
Bell Gardens, a small Gateway Cities community in Los Angeles County, was once home to a major dairy industry. This largely Hispanic city is densely populated along the Rio Hondo. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 36,850, Bell Gardens has a total crime rate of 1,864.3 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.