Is Manhattan Beach or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Manhattan Beach (Safety Score 38/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,683 for Manhattan Beach — 22% lower. Manhattan Beach has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Manhattan Beach has a 64% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 42.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Manhattan Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Manhattan Beach, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Manhattan Beach | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,683.1 | 2,082.4 | +600.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 149.7 | 412.4 | -262.6 |
| Murder Rate | 3.1 | 2.5 | +0.5 |
| Rape Rate | 15.3 | 21.4 | -6.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 48.9 | 77.4 | -28.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 82.5 | 310.9 | -228.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,533.3 | 1,670.0 | +863.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 409.5 | 187.4 | +222.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,894.6 | 1,087.1 | +807.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 229.2 | 395.5 | -166.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manhattan Beach or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,683 for Manhattan Beach — a 22% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Manhattan Beach has a violent crime rate of 149.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Manhattan Beach has lower violent crime.
About Manhattan Beach, CA
Manhattan Beach, a city in southwest Los Angeles County, is an affluent coastal community known for its pier, a popular surf spot since the early 1900s. It features a scenic Strand and boasts a median household income significantly above the county average. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 32,724, Manhattan Beach has a total crime rate of 2,683.1 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.