Los Angeles vs San Diego Crime Comparison
Is Los Angeles or San Diego Safer?
San Diego is the safer city, with a total crime rate 6% lower than Los Angeles based on 2024 FBI data. Los Angeles has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 64% lower rate.
Note: Los Angeles is 2.7x larger by population, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Los Angeles, CA
Safety Score
59/100
Population
3,796,352
Total Crime Rate
2,212.5
Category Wins
3/7
San Diego, CA
Safety Score
62/100
Population
1,389,024
Total Crime Rate
2,082.4
Category Wins
4/7
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Los Angeles | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,212.5 | 2,082.4 | +130.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 728.5 | 412.4 | +316.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 2.5 | +4.4 |
| Rape Rate | 40.3 | 21.4 | +18.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 209.9 | 77.4 | +132.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 471.4 | 310.9 | +160.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,483.9 | 1,670.0 | -186.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 372.8 | 187.4 | +185.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 851.5 | 1,087.1 | -235.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 259.6 | 395.5 | -135.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,212 for Los Angeles — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Los Angeles has a violent crime rate of 728.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.