Is Nogales or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Nogales (Safety Score 38/100 vs 10/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,830 for Nogales — 46% lower. Nogales has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Nogales has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 70.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Nogales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Nogales, AZ
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Nogales | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,830.1 | 2,082.4 | +1,747.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 228.6 | 412.4 | -183.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 21.4 | -21.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 228.6 | 310.9 | -82.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,601.5 | 1,670.0 | +1,931.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 477.5 | 187.4 | +290.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,291.0 | 1,087.1 | +1,203.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 833.1 | 395.5 | +437.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nogales or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,830 for Nogales — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Nogales has a violent crime rate of 228.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Nogales has lower violent crime.
About Nogales, AZ
Nogales, Arizona, a border town with Mexico, is bisected by the international boundary. Its historic downtown, once a bustling hub of commerce, reflects its unique binational character as a port of entry. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 19,686, Nogales has a total crime rate of 3,830.1 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.