Is National City or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than National City (Safety Score 38/100 vs 26/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,635 for National City — 21% lower. National City has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 65% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 25.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
National City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
National City, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | National City | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,635.0 | 2,082.4 | +552.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 695.6 | 412.4 | +283.2 |
| Murder Rate | 7.3 | 2.5 | +4.8 |
| Rape Rate | 29.1 | 21.4 | +7.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 222.2 | 77.4 | +144.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 437.0 | 310.9 | +126.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,939.4 | 1,670.0 | +269.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 242.2 | 187.4 | +54.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,039.8 | 1,087.1 | -47.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 657.4 | 395.5 | +261.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is National City or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,635 for National City — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
National City has a violent crime rate of 695.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About National City, CA
National City, San Diego County's second-oldest city, boasts a historic mile-long pier. This diverse South Bay community, bordering San Diego, is home to a significant Filipino population. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 54,915, National City has a total crime rate of 2,635.0 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.