Is Bend or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bend is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 55/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,530 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 27% lower. Bend has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bend has a 71% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 13.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bend — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bend, OR
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bend | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,530.5 | 2,082.4 | -551.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 168.5 | 412.4 | -243.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.8 | 2.5 | +0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 22.6 | 21.4 | +1.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.6 | 77.4 | -54.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 120.5 | 310.9 | -190.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,362.0 | 1,670.0 | -308.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 129.0 | 187.4 | -58.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,150.2 | 1,087.1 | +63.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 82.8 | 395.5 | -312.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bend or San Diego safer?
Bend is safer with a total crime rate of 1,530 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bend has a violent crime rate of 168.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Bend has lower violent crime.
About Bend, OR
Nestled on the Deschutes River, Bend, Oregon, was historically a logging town and is now a popular outdoor recreation destination. Its population of over 100,000 residents enjoys proximity to the Cascade Mountains and high desert. With a safety score of 55/100 and a population coverage of 106,241, Bend has a total crime rate of 1,530.5 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.