Is Berkeley or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Berkeley (Safety Score 38/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 5,869 for Berkeley — 65% lower. Berkeley has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where San Diego has a 68% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 11.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Berkeley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Berkeley, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Berkeley | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,868.8 | 2,082.4 | +3,786.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 639.7 | 412.4 | +227.3 |
| Murder Rate | 6.0 | 2.5 | +3.4 |
| Rape Rate | 46.0 | 21.4 | +24.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 186.5 | 77.4 | +109.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 400.3 | 310.9 | +89.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,229.1 | 1,670.0 | +3,559.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.0 | 187.4 | +473.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,655.9 | 1,087.1 | +2,568.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 912.3 | 395.5 | +516.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berkeley or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 5,869 for Berkeley — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Berkeley has a violent crime rate of 639.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Berkeley, CA
Berkeley, California, home to a world-renowned university and the Free Speech Movement, sits on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. This diverse city's population is highly educated, with a significant proportion holding graduate degrees. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 117,400, Berkeley has a total crime rate of 5,868.8 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.