Is Modesto or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Modesto (Safety Score 38/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,070 for Modesto — 32% lower. Modesto has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where San Diego has a 37% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 6.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Modesto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Modesto, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Modesto | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,070.5 | 2,082.4 | +988.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 655.7 | 412.4 | +243.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 2.5 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 56.2 | 21.4 | +34.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 113.3 | 77.4 | +35.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 483.1 | 310.9 | +172.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,414.7 | 1,670.0 | +744.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.1 | 187.4 | +79.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,818.8 | 1,087.1 | +731.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 328.8 | 395.5 | -66.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Modesto or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,070 for Modesto — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Modesto has a violent crime rate of 655.7 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Modesto, CA
Modesto, seat of Stanislaus County, is known for its agricultural roots and as the birthplace of filmmaker George Lucas. Situated in California's Central Valley, it's a diverse city with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 218,990, Modesto has a total crime rate of 3,070.5 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.