Is Long Beach or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Long Beach (Safety Score 38/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,156 for Long Beach — 50% lower. Long Beach has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 70% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 3.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Long Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Long Beach, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Long Beach | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,155.7 | 2,082.4 | +2,073.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 676.9 | 412.4 | +264.5 |
| Murder Rate | 8.3 | 2.5 | +5.8 |
| Rape Rate | 45.0 | 21.4 | +23.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 222.6 | 77.4 | +145.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 400.5 | 310.9 | +89.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,478.8 | 1,670.0 | +1,808.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 704.8 | 187.4 | +517.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,795.7 | 1,087.1 | +708.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 978.3 | 395.5 | +582.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Long Beach or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,156 for Long Beach — a 50% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Long Beach has a violent crime rate of 676.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Long Beach, CA
Long Beach, a coastal city in Southern California, is home to the historic Queen Mary ocean liner. It boasts a diverse population exceeding 460,000, situated at the southern end of Los Angeles County. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 444,232, Long Beach has a total crime rate of 4,155.7 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.