Is Monterey or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Monterey (Safety Score 38/100 vs 36/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,171 for Monterey — 4% lower. Monterey has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Monterey has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 48.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Monterey — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Monterey, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Monterey | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,170.7 | 2,082.4 | +88.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 389.0 | 412.4 | -23.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 66.0 | 21.4 | +44.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 62.5 | 77.4 | -14.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 253.5 | 310.9 | -57.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,781.7 | 1,670.0 | +111.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 274.4 | 187.4 | +87.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,413.6 | 1,087.1 | +326.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 93.8 | 395.5 | -301.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monterey or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,171 for Monterey — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Monterey has a violent crime rate of 389.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Monterey has lower violent crime.
About Monterey, CA
Nestled on Monterey Bay, this coastal city is famed for Cannery Row's sardine industry past. Its population is approximately 30,000, with a significant portion of residents over 65. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 28,792, Monterey has a total crime rate of 2,170.7 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.