Is Eugene or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Eugene (Safety Score 38/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,574 for Eugene — 42% lower. Eugene has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Eugene has a 56% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 7.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Eugene — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Eugene, OR
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Eugene | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,574.1 | 2,082.4 | +1,491.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 318.4 | 412.4 | -93.9 |
| Murder Rate | 1.1 | 2.5 | -1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 46.1 | 21.4 | +24.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 70.8 | 77.4 | -6.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 199.9 | 310.9 | -111.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,255.7 | 1,670.0 | +1,585.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 475.7 | 187.4 | +288.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,458.2 | 1,087.1 | +1,371.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 321.8 | 395.5 | -73.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eugene or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,574 for Eugene — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Eugene has a violent crime rate of 318.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Eugene has lower violent crime.
About Eugene, OR
Eugene, Oregon, nestled in the Willamette Valley, is a city with a strong counter-culture legacy and a significant student population due to the University of Oregon. Its verdant surroundings are characteristic of the Pacific Northwest. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 178,057, Eugene has a total crime rate of 3,574.1 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.