Is Morro Bay or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Morro Bay is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 71/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,092 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 48% lower. Morro Bay has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Morro Bay has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 131.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Morro Bay — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Morro Bay, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Morro Bay | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,091.9 | 2,082.4 | -990.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 303.8 | 412.4 | -108.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 66.5 | 21.4 | +45.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.0 | 77.4 | -58.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 208.9 | 310.9 | -102.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 788.1 | 1,670.0 | -882.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 38.0 | 187.4 | -149.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 702.6 | 1,087.1 | -384.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 47.5 | 395.5 | -348.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morro Bay or San Diego safer?
Morro Bay is safer with a total crime rate of 1,092 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Morro Bay has a violent crime rate of 303.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Morro Bay has lower violent crime.
About Morro Bay, CA
Morro Bay, a small coastal city in San Luis Obispo County, is famous for Morro Rock, a volcanic plug that's part of the Nine Sisters. Its harbor supports a fishing fleet and draws tourists to its waterfront. With a safety score of 71/100 and a population coverage of 10,532, Morro Bay has a total crime rate of 1,091.9 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.