Is Long Beach or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Long Beach is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 99/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 182 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 91% lower. Long Beach has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Long Beach has a 94% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 40.2x 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, NY
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Long Beach | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 182.5 | 2,082.4 | -1,899.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 78.2 | 412.4 | -334.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.9 | 2.5 | +0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 2.9 | 21.4 | -18.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 5.8 | 77.4 | -71.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 66.6 | 310.9 | -244.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 104.3 | 1,670.0 | -1,565.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 14.5 | 187.4 | -172.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 86.9 | 1,087.1 | -1,000.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 2.9 | 395.5 | -392.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Long Beach or San Diego safer?
Long Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 182 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 91% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Long Beach has a violent crime rate of 78.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Long Beach has lower violent crime.
About Long Beach, NY
Long Beach, New York, a barrier island city, was founded as a resort town in 1907. Its iconic boardwalk stretches for miles along the Atlantic Ocean, attracting a diverse year-round population. With a safety score of 99/100 and a population coverage of 34,527, Long Beach has a total crime rate of 182.5 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.