Is Davis or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Davis (Safety Score 38/100 vs 31/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,398 for Davis — 13% lower. Davis has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Davis has a 59% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 21.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Davis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Davis, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Davis | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,397.6 | 2,082.4 | +315.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 186.3 | 412.4 | -226.1 |
| Murder Rate | 1.5 | 2.5 | -1.0 |
| Rape Rate | 29.0 | 21.4 | +7.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 32.1 | 77.4 | -45.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 123.7 | 310.9 | -187.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,211.3 | 1,670.0 | +541.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 142.0 | 187.4 | -45.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,924.2 | 1,087.1 | +837.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 145.1 | 395.5 | -250.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davis or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,398 for Davis — a 13% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Davis has a violent crime rate of 186.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Davis has lower violent crime.
About Davis, CA
Davis, California, a city known for its vibrant bicycle culture and the University of California, Davis, lies in the Sacramento Valley. This city of over 60,000 residents is a hub for agricultural research and innovation. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 65,483, Davis has a total crime rate of 2,397.6 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.