Is Brighton or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Brighton (Safety Score 38/100 vs 20/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,993 for Brighton — 30% lower. Brighton has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Brighton has a 52% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 32.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Brighton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Brighton, CO
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Brighton | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,993.2 | 2,082.4 | +910.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 474.2 | 412.4 | +61.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.3 | 2.5 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 81.0 | 21.4 | +59.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 37.0 | 77.4 | -40.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 351.6 | 310.9 | +40.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,519.0 | 1,670.0 | +849.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 249.8 | 187.4 | +62.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,903.7 | 1,087.1 | +816.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 365.5 | 395.5 | -30.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brighton or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,993 for Brighton — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Brighton has a violent crime rate of 474.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Brighton, CO
Brighton, Colorado, a city platted in 1871 along the Denver Pacific Railroad, sits northeast of Denver in Adams County. Its population of over 40,000 residents enjoys proximity to both urban amenities and agricultural landscapes. With a safety score of 20/100 and a population coverage of 43,231, Brighton has a total crime rate of 2,993.2 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.