Is Gardena or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Gardena (Safety Score 38/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,755 for Gardena — 45% lower. Gardena has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 62% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 24.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gardena — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gardena, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gardena | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,754.5 | 2,082.4 | +1,672.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 703.3 | 412.4 | +290.9 |
| Murder Rate | 5.2 | 2.5 | +2.7 |
| Rape Rate | 27.8 | 21.4 | +6.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.4 | 77.4 | +124.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 468.9 | 310.9 | +157.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,051.2 | 1,670.0 | +1,381.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 422.0 | 187.4 | +234.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,727.9 | 1,087.1 | +640.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 901.3 | 395.5 | +505.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gardena or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,755 for Gardena — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gardena has a violent crime rate of 703.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Gardena, CA
Gardena, a South Bay city, was once a major strawberry producer. Its diverse population includes a significant Japanese American community. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 57,584, Gardena has a total crime rate of 3,754.5 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.