Is Newark or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Newark (Safety Score 38/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,346 for Newark — 52% lower. Newark has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where San Diego has a 58% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 29.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Newark — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Newark, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Newark | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,345.7 | 2,082.4 | +2,263.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 383.0 | 412.4 | -29.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.1 | 2.5 | -0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 15.0 | 21.4 | -6.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 128.4 | 77.4 | +51.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 235.4 | 310.9 | -75.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,962.7 | 1,670.0 | +2,292.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 457.9 | 187.4 | +270.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,608.3 | 1,087.1 | +1,521.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 896.5 | 395.5 | +501.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newark or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,346 for Newark — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Newark has a violent crime rate of 383.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Newark has lower violent crime.
About Newark, CA
Newark, California, a city in Alameda County, was incorporated in 1955 and is named after Newark, New Jersey. Situated on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, it's a diverse community with a significant Asian population. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 46,736, Newark has a total crime rate of 4,345.7 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.