Is Glendale or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Glendale (Safety Score 38/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,161 for Glendale — 34% lower. Glendale has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 68% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 5.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Glendale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Glendale, AZ
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Glendale | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,160.7 | 2,082.4 | +1,078.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 490.0 | 412.4 | +77.6 |
| Murder Rate | 7.8 | 2.5 | +5.3 |
| Rape Rate | 57.5 | 21.4 | +36.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 65.4 | 77.4 | -12.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 357.7 | 310.9 | +46.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,670.7 | 1,670.0 | +1,000.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 312.3 | 187.4 | +124.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,920.1 | 1,087.1 | +833.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 438.3 | 395.5 | +42.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glendale or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,161 for Glendale — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Glendale has a violent crime rate of 490.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Glendale, AZ
Glendale, Arizona, is a prominent city in the Valley of the Sun, known for its historic downtown and Westgate Entertainment District. As a suburb of Phoenix, it's home to a diverse population of over 250,000 residents. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 255,512, Glendale has a total crime rate of 3,160.7 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.