Is Chula Vista or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Chula Vista is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 56/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,508 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 28% lower. Chula Vista has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Chula Vista has a 56% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 5.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Chula Vista — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Chula Vista, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Chula Vista | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,508.2 | 2,082.4 | -574.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 375.8 | 412.4 | -36.6 |
| Murder Rate | 1.1 | 2.5 | -1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 19.4 | 21.4 | -2.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 82.2 | 77.4 | +4.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 273.2 | 310.9 | -37.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,132.4 | 1,670.0 | -537.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 134.4 | 187.4 | -53.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 666.4 | 1,087.1 | -420.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 331.6 | 395.5 | -64.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chula Vista or San Diego safer?
Chula Vista is safer with a total crime rate of 1,508 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Chula Vista has a violent crime rate of 375.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Chula Vista has lower violent crime.
About Chula Vista, CA
Chula Vista, "beautiful view" in Spanish, is San Diego County's second-largest city. It's home to the Olympic Training Center and sits just north of the Mexican border, reflecting a vibrant binational culture. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 273,843, Chula Vista has a total crime rate of 1,508.2 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.