Is Dallas or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Dallas (Safety Score 38/100 vs 32/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,345 for Dallas — 11% lower. Dallas has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Dallas has a 64% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 77.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dallas — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dallas, OR
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dallas | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,344.8 | 2,082.4 | +262.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 263.0 | 412.4 | -149.4 |
| Murder Rate | 5.6 | 2.5 | +3.1 |
| Rape Rate | 22.4 | 21.4 | +1.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.0 | 77.4 | -49.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 207.1 | 310.9 | -103.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,081.8 | 1,670.0 | +411.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 134.3 | 187.4 | -53.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,846.8 | 1,087.1 | +759.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 100.7 | 395.5 | -294.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dallas or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,345 for Dallas — a 11% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dallas has a violent crime rate of 263.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Dallas has lower violent crime.
About Dallas, OR
Dallas, Oregon, the Polk County seat, sits in the Willamette Valley. Founded in 1845, its economy historically relied on timber and agriculture, and it maintains a small-town feel with a population around 16,000. With a safety score of 32/100 and a population coverage of 17,869, Dallas has a total crime rate of 2,344.8 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.