Is Desert Hot Springs or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Desert Hot Springs is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 50/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,692 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 19% lower. Desert Hot Springs has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 72% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 41.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Desert Hot Springs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Desert Hot Springs, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Desert Hot Springs | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,691.9 | 2,082.4 | -390.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 491.9 | 412.4 | +79.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.9 | 2.5 | +6.4 |
| Rape Rate | 29.6 | 21.4 | +8.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 118.5 | 77.4 | +41.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 334.8 | 310.9 | +23.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,200.0 | 1,670.0 | -470.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 272.6 | 187.4 | +85.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 551.1 | 1,087.1 | -536.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 376.3 | 395.5 | -19.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desert Hot Springs or San Diego safer?
Desert Hot Springs is safer with a total crime rate of 1,692 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Desert Hot Springs has a violent crime rate of 491.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Desert Hot Springs, CA
Desert Hot Springs, California, a city known for its natural hot springs, lies in the Coachella Valley. Founded by Cabot Yerxa, it is a small city with a population of around 32,000, primarily composed of working-class families. With a safety score of 50/100 and a population coverage of 33,749, Desert Hot Springs has a total crime rate of 1,691.9 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.