Is Newport Beach or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Newport Beach (Safety Score 38/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,126 for Newport Beach — 2% lower. Newport Beach has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Newport Beach has a 40% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 17.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Newport Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Newport Beach, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Newport Beach | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,125.6 | 2,082.4 | +43.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 253.0 | 412.4 | -159.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.4 | 2.5 | -0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 33.0 | 21.4 | +11.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.5 | 77.4 | -30.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 169.9 | 310.9 | -141.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,872.6 | 1,670.0 | +202.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 315.4 | 187.4 | +128.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,409.4 | 1,087.1 | +322.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 147.9 | 395.5 | -247.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newport Beach or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,126 for Newport Beach — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Newport Beach has a violent crime rate of 253.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Newport Beach has lower violent crime.
About Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach, California, a coastal city known for its affluent residents and the Balboa Pavilion, a historic landmark. Its harbor is one of the largest recreational boat harbors on the U.S. west coast, attracting many visitors. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 81,811, Newport Beach has a total crime rate of 2,125.6 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.