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 32/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,315 for Glendale — 10% lower. Glendale has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Glendale has a 30% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 7.5x 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, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Glendale | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,314.6 | 2,082.4 | +232.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 287.8 | 412.4 | -124.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.2 | 2.5 | -0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 18.5 | 21.4 | -2.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 93.4 | 77.4 | +16.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 173.2 | 310.9 | -137.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,026.8 | 1,670.0 | +356.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 202.0 | 187.4 | +14.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,594.6 | 1,087.1 | +507.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 230.2 | 395.5 | -165.3 |
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 2,315 for Glendale — a 10% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Glendale has a violent crime rate of 287.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Glendale has lower violent crime.
About Glendale, CA
Glendale, a San Fernando Valley city, is home to Forest Lawn Memorial Park, a significant burial site for Hollywood figures. It has a substantial Armenian-American population, reflected in its diverse cultural landscape. With a safety score of 32/100 and a population coverage of 184,180, Glendale has a total crime rate of 2,314.6 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.