Is East Palo Alto or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than East Palo Alto (Safety Score 38/100 vs 28/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,527 for East Palo Alto — 18% lower. East Palo Alto has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 65% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 50.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
East Palo Alto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
East Palo Alto, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | East Palo Alto | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,526.8 | 2,082.4 | +444.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 607.3 | 412.4 | +194.9 |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 2.5 | +4.7 |
| Rape Rate | 94.0 | 21.4 | +72.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 213.3 | 77.4 | +135.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 292.8 | 310.9 | -18.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,919.5 | 1,670.0 | +249.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 108.5 | 187.4 | -79.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,352.0 | 1,087.1 | +264.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 459.1 | 395.5 | +63.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Palo Alto or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,527 for East Palo Alto — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
East Palo Alto has a violent crime rate of 607.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About East Palo Alto, CA
East Palo Alto, California, a city incorporated in 1983, sits on the San Francisco Bay's western shore. It is the only city in San Mateo County that primarily has a Black and Hispanic population. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 27,663, East Palo Alto has a total crime rate of 2,526.8 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.