Is El Centro or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, El Centro is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 53/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 23% lower. El Centro has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 45% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 31.9x 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 Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
El Centro, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | El Centro | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,595.9 | 2,082.4 | -486.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 328.4 | 412.4 | -84.0 |
| Murder Rate | 4.6 | 2.5 | +2.1 |
| Rape Rate | 23.0 | 21.4 | +1.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 73.5 | 77.4 | -3.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 227.3 | 310.9 | -83.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,267.5 | 1,670.0 | -402.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 475.3 | 187.4 | +287.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 622.3 | 1,087.1 | -464.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 169.9 | 395.5 | -225.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Centro or San Diego safer?
El Centro is safer with a total crime rate of 1,596 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 23% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
El Centro has a violent crime rate of 328.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. 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 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.