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Carlsbad, CA vs San Diego, CA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Carlsbad crime rate · San Diego crime rate

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Is Carlsbad, CA or San Diego, CA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Carlsbad, CA is safer than San Diego, CA (Safety Score 49/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,710 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego, CA — 18% lower. Carlsbad has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Carlsbad has a 65% lower rate.

Note: San Diego is 12.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Carlsbad, CA?

Carlsbad — 5-Year Trend

Flat Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

San Diego — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Carlsbad, CA

Carlsbad, CA
Safety Score 49/100
Coverage 113,023
Total Crime Rate 1,710.3
Category Wins 5/7

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA
Safety Score 38/100
Coverage 1,389,024
Total Crime Rate 2,082.4
Category Wins 2/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Carlsbad San Diego Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,710.3 2,082.4 -372.1
Violent Crime Rate 199.1 412.4 -213.3
Murder Rate 0.9 2.5 -1.6
Rape Rate 6.2 21.4 -15.2
Robbery Rate 34.5 77.4 -42.9
Aggravated Assault Rate 157.5 310.9 -153.5
Property Crime Rate 1,511.2 1,670.0 -158.8
Burglary Rate 236.2 187.4 +48.8
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,166.1 1,087.1 +79.0
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 108.8 395.5 -286.7

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Carlsbad, CA to San Diego, CA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carlsbad or San Diego safer?

Carlsbad, CA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,710 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego, CA — a 18% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Carlsbad has a violent crime rate of 199.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Carlsbad has lower violent crime.

About Carlsbad, CA

Carlsbad is a coastal city in northern San Diego County, known for LEGOLAND California, which opened in 1999. Its affluent population enjoys a Mediterranean climate and seven miles of picturesque beaches. With a safety score of 49/100 and a population coverage of 113,023, Carlsbad has a total crime rate of 1,710.3 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.

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