Is Grass Valley or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Grass Valley (Safety Score 38/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,687 for Grass Valley — 22% lower. Grass Valley has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Grass Valley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 98.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Grass Valley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Grass Valley, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Grass Valley | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,686.6 | 2,082.4 | +604.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 540.2 | 412.4 | +127.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 92.4 | 21.4 | +71.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 35.5 | 77.4 | -41.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 412.2 | 310.9 | +101.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,146.4 | 1,670.0 | +476.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 284.3 | 187.4 | +96.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,428.6 | 1,087.1 | +341.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 433.6 | 395.5 | +38.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grass Valley or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,687 for Grass Valley — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Grass Valley has a violent crime rate of 540.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Grass Valley, CA
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Grass Valley boomed during the Gold Rush, its historic downtown now a cultural hub. This small city, with a population around 13,000, retains much of its charming 19th-century architecture. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 14,070, Grass Valley has a total crime rate of 2,686.6 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.