Is Mill Valley or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Mill Valley is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 70/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,098 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 47% lower. Mill Valley has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Mill Valley has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 101.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Mill Valley — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mill Valley, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Mill Valley | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,098.3 | 2,082.4 | -984.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 95.2 | 412.4 | -317.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 21.4 | -21.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 29.3 | 77.4 | -48.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 65.9 | 310.9 | -245.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,003.1 | 1,670.0 | -666.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 183.0 | 187.4 | -4.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 790.8 | 1,087.1 | -296.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 29.3 | 395.5 | -366.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mill Valley or San Diego safer?
Mill Valley is safer with a total crime rate of 1,098 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Mill Valley has a violent crime rate of 95.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Mill Valley has lower violent crime.
About Mill Valley, CA
Mill Valley, a Marin County city nestled at Mt. Tamalpais' base, is known for its redwood forests and affluent, predominantly white population. It was the starting point for the Dipsea Race, one of the oldest trail races in the U.S. With a safety score of 70/100 and a population coverage of 13,658, Mill Valley has a total crime rate of 1,098.3 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.