Is El Centro or San Antonio Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, El Centro is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 53/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 69% lower. El Centro has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where El Centro has a 73% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 34.8x 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
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
El Centro, CA
San Antonio, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | El Centro | San Antonio | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,595.9 | 5,219.0 | -3,623.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 328.4 | 595.3 | -267.0 |
| Murder Rate | 4.6 | 8.4 | -3.8 |
| Rape Rate | 23.0 | 83.7 | -60.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 73.5 | 108.4 | -34.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 227.3 | 393.7 | -166.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,267.5 | 4,623.6 | -3,356.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 475.3 | 495.6 | -20.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 622.3 | 3,291.8 | -2,669.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 169.9 | 836.3 | -666.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Centro or San Antonio safer?
El Centro is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
El Centro has a violent crime rate of 328.4 per 100K while San Antonio has 595.3. 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 San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, a South Texas city famed for the Alamo, sits along the Balcones Escarpment. Its population is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting a rich blend of cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,514,458, San Antonio has a total crime rate of 5,219.0 per 100,000 residents.