Is El Cerrito or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than El Cerrito (Safety Score 38/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,524 for El Cerrito — 41% lower. El Cerrito has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where El Cerrito has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 54.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
El Cerrito — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
El Cerrito, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | El Cerrito | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,524.2 | 2,082.4 | +1,441.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 479.9 | 412.4 | +67.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 15.7 | 21.4 | -5.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 287.1 | 77.4 | +209.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 177.0 | 310.9 | -133.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,044.4 | 1,670.0 | +1,374.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 338.3 | 187.4 | +150.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,253.8 | 1,087.1 | +1,166.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 452.3 | 395.5 | +56.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Cerrito or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,524 for El Cerrito — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
El Cerrito has a violent crime rate of 479.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About El Cerrito, CA
El Cerrito, a city in the East Bay, was incorporated in 1917 to prevent annexation by Richmond. Situated on the slopes above San Francisco Bay, it's a diverse community with a significant Asian population. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 25,424, El Cerrito has a total crime rate of 3,524.2 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.