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Fresno vs San Diego Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Fresno crime rate · San Diego crime rate

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Is Fresno or San Diego Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Diego is safer than Fresno (Safety Score 38/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,008 for Fresno — 48% lower. Fresno has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 57% lower rate.

Note: San Diego is 2.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Fresno, CA?

Fresno — 4-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

San Diego — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Fresno, CA

Fresno, CA
Safety Score 8/100
Coverage 546,722
Total Crime Rate 4,007.5
Category Wins 0/7

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA
Safety Score 38/100
Coverage 1,389,024
Total Crime Rate 2,082.4
Category Wins 7/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Fresno San Diego Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,007.5 2,082.4 +1,925.1
Violent Crime Rate 736.2 412.4 +323.8
Murder Rate 5.9 2.5 +3.3
Rape Rate 44.6 21.4 +23.3
Robbery Rate 167.9 77.4 +90.5
Aggravated Assault Rate 517.1 310.9 +206.1
Property Crime Rate 3,271.3 1,670.0 +1,601.3
Burglary Rate 396.2 187.4 +208.8
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,204.1 1,087.1 +1,117.0
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 671.1 395.5 +275.6

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Fresno, CA to San Diego, CA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fresno or San Diego safer?

San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,008 for Fresno — a 48% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Fresno has a violent crime rate of 736.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.

About Fresno, CA

Fresno, the "Raisin Capital of the World," is a Central Valley city with a diverse population exceeding 540,000. Its agricultural roots are deep, situated amidst fertile farmland and experiencing hot, dry summers. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 546,722, Fresno has a total crime rate of 4,007.5 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.

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