Is Hillsborough or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hillsborough is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 82/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 774 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 63% lower. Hillsborough has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hillsborough has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 129.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hillsborough — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hillsborough, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hillsborough | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 773.7 | 2,082.4 | -1,308.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 93.2 | 412.4 | -319.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 37.3 | 21.4 | +15.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 9.3 | 77.4 | -68.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 46.6 | 310.9 | -264.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 680.5 | 1,670.0 | -989.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 167.8 | 187.4 | -19.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 428.8 | 1,087.1 | -658.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 83.9 | 395.5 | -311.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hillsborough or San Diego safer?
Hillsborough is safer with a total crime rate of 774 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hillsborough has a violent crime rate of 93.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Hillsborough has lower violent crime.
About Hillsborough, CA
Hillsborough is an affluent, residential town on the San Francisco Peninsula, known for its large estates and lack of commercial zoning. It was incorporated in 1910 and has a median household income significantly higher than the national average. With a safety score of 82/100 and a population coverage of 10,728, Hillsborough has a total crime rate of 773.7 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.