Is Irvine or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Irvine is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 57/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,474 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 29% lower. Irvine has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Irvine has a 80% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 4.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Irvine — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Irvine, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Irvine | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,473.7 | 2,082.4 | -608.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 84.0 | 412.4 | -328.4 |
| Murder Rate | 1.6 | 2.5 | -0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 13.3 | 21.4 | -8.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 22.1 | 77.4 | -55.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 47.0 | 310.9 | -263.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,389.7 | 1,670.0 | -280.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 197.9 | 187.4 | +10.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,122.0 | 1,087.1 | +34.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 69.8 | 395.5 | -325.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Irvine or San Diego safer?
Irvine is safer with a total crime rate of 1,474 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Irvine has a violent crime rate of 84.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Irvine has lower violent crime.
About Irvine, CA
Irvine, a master-planned community developed by the Irvine Company, is home to a large Asian population and the University of California, Irvine. Located in Orange County, it features extensive green spaces and business parks. With a safety score of 57/100 and a population coverage of 316,764, Irvine has a total crime rate of 1,473.7 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.