Is Brea or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Brea (Safety Score 38/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,076 for Brea — 32% lower. Brea has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Brea has a 49% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 28.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brea, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brea | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,075.6 | 2,082.4 | +993.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 210.6 | 412.4 | -201.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.0 | 2.5 | -0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 12.3 | 21.4 | -9.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 92.0 | 77.4 | +14.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 104.3 | 310.9 | -206.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,865.0 | 1,670.0 | +1,195.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 269.9 | 187.4 | +82.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,439.6 | 1,087.1 | +1,352.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 155.4 | 395.5 | -240.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brea or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,076 for Brea — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brea has a violent crime rate of 210.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Brea has lower violent crime.
About Brea, CA
Brea, California, once known for its oil fields, is a suburban city in northern Orange County. It features a vibrant downtown area and is home to a diverse population of around 47,000 residents. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 48,901, Brea has a total crime rate of 3,075.6 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.