Is California City or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than California City (Safety Score 38/100 vs 36/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,176 for California City — 4% lower. California City has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 66% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 103.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
California City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
California City, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | California City | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,176.2 | 2,082.4 | +93.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 588.8 | 412.4 | +176.4 |
| Murder Rate | 7.5 | 2.5 | +4.9 |
| Rape Rate | 22.4 | 21.4 | +1.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.7 | 77.4 | -32.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 514.2 | 310.9 | +203.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,587.4 | 1,670.0 | -82.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 380.1 | 187.4 | +192.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 842.2 | 1,087.1 | -244.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 365.2 | 395.5 | -30.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California City or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,176 for California City — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
California City has a violent crime rate of 588.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About California City, CA
California City, an ambitious 1950s planned community in the Mojave Desert, boasts the third-largest land area of any California city. Its vast, grid-like street network often lies empty, a testament to its unfulfilled growth. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 13,418, California City has a total crime rate of 2,176.2 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.