Is Colton or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Colton (Safety Score 38/100 vs 28/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,498 for Colton — 17% lower. Colton has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 55% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 26.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Colton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Colton, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Colton | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,498.5 | 2,082.4 | +416.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 393.2 | 412.4 | -19.2 |
| Murder Rate | 5.6 | 2.5 | +3.1 |
| Rape Rate | 22.6 | 21.4 | +1.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 105.4 | 77.4 | +28.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 259.6 | 310.9 | -51.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,105.2 | 1,670.0 | +435.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 301.0 | 187.4 | +113.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,418.6 | 1,087.1 | +331.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 385.7 | 395.5 | -9.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colton or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,498 for Colton — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Colton has a violent crime rate of 393.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Colton has lower violent crime.
About Colton, CA
Colton, California, a historic railroad town, lies in the Inland Empire. It's home to the oldest operating McDonald's restaurant, a landmark reflecting its mid-20th century growth. The city is primarily a working-class community with a diverse population. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 53,153, Colton has a total crime rate of 2,498.5 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.