Is Escondido or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Escondido is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 43/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,919 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 8% lower. Escondido has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Escondido has a 46% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 9.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Escondido — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Escondido, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Escondido | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,918.9 | 2,082.4 | -163.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 433.5 | 412.4 | +21.1 |
| Murder Rate | 1.4 | 2.5 | -1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 17.7 | 21.4 | -3.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 112.1 | 77.4 | +34.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 302.4 | 310.9 | -8.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,485.4 | 1,670.0 | -184.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 222.9 | 187.4 | +35.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,050.5 | 1,087.1 | -36.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 212.0 | 395.5 | -183.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Escondido or San Diego safer?
Escondido is safer with a total crime rate of 1,919 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Escondido has a violent crime rate of 433.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Escondido, CA
Nestled in a valley, Escondido, California, is one of San Diego County's oldest cities, incorporated in 1888. Its diverse population of over 150,000 residents enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with citrus groves historically important to its economy. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 147,170, Escondido has a total crime rate of 1,918.9 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.