Is Cathedral City or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Cathedral City is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 56/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,506 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 28% lower. Cathedral City has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Cathedral City has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 26.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Cathedral City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Cathedral City, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Cathedral City | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,505.7 | 2,082.4 | -576.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 285.2 | 412.4 | -127.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 30.4 | 21.4 | +9.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.1 | 77.4 | -22.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 197.7 | 310.9 | -113.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,220.5 | 1,670.0 | -449.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 184.4 | 187.4 | -3.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 680.6 | 1,087.1 | -406.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 355.5 | 395.5 | -40.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cathedral City or San Diego safer?
Cathedral City is safer with a total crime rate of 1,506 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Cathedral City has a violent crime rate of 285.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Cathedral City has lower violent crime.
About Cathedral City, CA
Cathedral City, a Coachella Valley city, was incorporated in 1981 and is known for its large Hispanic population. It is home to the first all-electric bus rapid transit system in the region. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 52,602, Cathedral City has a total crime rate of 1,505.7 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.