Is Fullerton or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Fullerton (Safety Score 38/100 vs 29/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,481 for Fullerton — 16% lower. Fullerton has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fullerton has a 71% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 10.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Fullerton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fullerton, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Fullerton | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,481.5 | 2,082.4 | +399.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 457.4 | 412.4 | +45.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 2.5 | -1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 32.6 | 21.4 | +11.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 90.6 | 77.4 | +13.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 331.3 | 310.9 | +20.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,024.0 | 1,670.0 | +354.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 327.0 | 187.4 | +139.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,486.9 | 1,087.1 | +399.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 210.2 | 395.5 | -185.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fullerton or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,481 for Fullerton — a 16% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Fullerton has a violent crime rate of 457.4 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Fullerton, CA
Fullerton, a city in northern Orange County, is home to California State University, Fullerton. It developed around citrus groves and now boasts a diverse population with a notable student presence. With a safety score of 29/100 and a population coverage of 137,942, Fullerton has a total crime rate of 2,481.5 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.