Moving from McAllen, TX to San Diego, CA?
An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is McAllen or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, McAllen is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 41/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,986 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 5% lower. McAllen has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where McAllen has a 69% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 9.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than McAllen, TX?
McAllen — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
McAllen, TX
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | McAllen | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,986.3 | 2,082.4 | -96.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 150.7 | 412.4 | -261.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.7 | 2.5 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 39.2 | 21.4 | +17.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 23.7 | 77.4 | -53.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 84.5 | 310.9 | -226.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,835.6 | 1,670.0 | +165.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 63.5 | 187.4 | -123.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,704.5 | 1,087.1 | +617.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 67.6 | 395.5 | -328.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from McAllen, TX to San Diego, CA?
An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is McAllen or San Diego safer?
McAllen is safer with a total crime rate of 1,986 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
McAllen has a violent crime rate of 150.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. McAllen has lower violent crime.
About McAllen, TX
McAllen, Texas, a vibrant city in the Rio Grande Valley, thrives as a major retail and medical hub. Its subtropical climate and proximity to the Mexican border, just south of Hidalgo, have historically shaped its unique cultural identity. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 148,017, McAllen has a total crime rate of 1,986.3 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.