Is El Centro or Philadelphia Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, El Centro is safer than Philadelphia (Safety Score 53/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100,000 versus 5,458 for Philadelphia — 71% lower. El Centro has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where El Centro has a 73% lower rate.
Note: Philadelphia is 35.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
El Centro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Philadelphia — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
El Centro, CA
Philadelphia, PA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | El Centro | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,595.9 | 5,458.5 | -3,862.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 328.4 | 910.3 | -582.0 |
| Murder Rate | 4.6 | 16.9 | -12.3 |
| Rape Rate | 23.0 | 46.1 | -23.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 73.5 | 273.2 | -199.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 227.3 | 572.5 | -345.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,267.5 | 4,548.2 | -3,280.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 475.3 | 319.0 | +156.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 622.3 | 3,223.6 | -2,601.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 169.9 | 1,005.6 | -835.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Centro or Philadelphia safer?
El Centro is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 5,458 for Philadelphia — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
El Centro has a violent crime rate of 328.4 per 100K while Philadelphia has 910.3. El Centro has lower violent crime.
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.
About Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, is Pennsylvania's largest city. Situated along the Delaware River, its diverse population contributes to a rich urban tapestry. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,549,259, Philadelphia has a total crime rate of 5,458.5 per 100,000 residents.