Is Huntington Beach or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Huntington Beach (Safety Score 38/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,196 for Huntington Beach — 5% lower. Huntington Beach has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Huntington Beach has a 50% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 7.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Huntington Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntington Beach, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Huntington Beach | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,196.4 | 2,082.4 | +114.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 207.3 | 412.4 | -205.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.6 | 2.5 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 34.7 | 21.4 | +13.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 51.0 | 77.4 | -26.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 118.9 | 310.9 | -192.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,989.2 | 1,670.0 | +319.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 201.0 | 187.4 | +13.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,644.0 | 1,087.1 | +557.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 144.2 | 395.5 | -251.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Huntington Beach or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,196 for Huntington Beach — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Huntington Beach has a violent crime rate of 207.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Huntington Beach has lower violent crime.
About Huntington Beach, CA
Huntington Beach, "Surf City, USA," stretches along the Pacific, a vibrant Orange County city with a significant tourist draw. Its lengthy pier and consistent waves attract a youthful, active population. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 190,081, Huntington Beach has a total crime rate of 2,196.4 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.