Is Imperial or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Imperial is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 98/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 259 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 88% lower. Imperial has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Imperial has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 63.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Imperial — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Imperial, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Imperial | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 259.3 | 2,082.4 | -1,823.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 77.3 | 412.4 | -335.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 9.1 | 21.4 | -12.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 68.2 | 310.9 | -242.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 182.0 | 1,670.0 | -1,488.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 31.9 | 187.4 | -155.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 104.6 | 1,087.1 | -982.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 45.5 | 395.5 | -350.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Imperial or San Diego safer?
Imperial is safer with a total crime rate of 259 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 88% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Imperial has a violent crime rate of 77.3 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Imperial has lower violent crime.
About Imperial, CA
Imperial, California, a city in the Imperial Valley near the Mexican border, was incorporated in 1904. Its desert climate supports a significant agricultural industry, with a population around 20,000. With a safety score of 98/100 and a population coverage of 21,980, Imperial has a total crime rate of 259.3 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.