Is Dallas or El Centro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, El Centro is safer than Dallas (Safety Score 53/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100,000 versus 4,012 for Dallas — 60% lower. Dallas has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where El Centro has a 66% lower rate.
Note: Dallas is 30.3x 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
El Centro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dallas, TX
El Centro, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dallas | El Centro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,012.3 | 1,595.9 | +2,416.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 660.5 | 328.4 | +332.1 |
| Murder Rate | 13.6 | 4.6 | +9.0 |
| Rape Rate | 35.9 | 23.0 | +13.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 168.5 | 73.5 | +95.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 440.1 | 227.3 | +212.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,351.9 | 1,267.5 | +2,084.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 464.1 | 475.3 | -11.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,787.3 | 622.3 | +1,165.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,100.5 | 169.9 | +930.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dallas or El Centro safer?
El Centro is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 4,012 for Dallas — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dallas has a violent crime rate of 660.5 per 100K while El Centro has 328.4. El Centro has lower violent crime.
About Dallas, TX
Dallas, a major hub in North Texas, is known for its historic role in the oil industry and its sprawling urban landscape. The city boasts a diverse population exceeding 1.3 million within its city limits. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 1,321,500, Dallas has a total crime rate of 4,012.3 per 100,000 residents.
About El Centro, CA
El Centro, founded in 1906, is the largest city in Imperial County, situated in the Sonoran Desert. Its economy is largely agricultural, benefiting from irrigation from the Colorado River. With a safety score of 53/100 and a population coverage of 43,550, El Centro has a total crime rate of 1,595.9 per 100,000 residents.