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Norfolk, VA vs San Diego, CA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Norfolk crime rate · San Diego crime rate

Moving from Norfolk, VA to San Diego, CA?

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Is Norfolk, VA or San Diego, CA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Diego, CA is safer than Norfolk, VA (Safety Score 38/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,242 for Norfolk, VA — 51% lower. Norfolk has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 84% lower rate.

Note: San Diego is 6.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Norfolk, VA?

Norfolk — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

San Diego — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Norfolk, VA

Norfolk, VA
Safety Score 7/100
Coverage 230,460
Total Crime Rate 4,242.0
Category Wins 2/7

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA
Safety Score 38/100
Coverage 1,389,024
Total Crime Rate 2,082.4
Category Wins 5/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Norfolk San Diego Difference
Total Crime Rate 4,242.0 2,082.4 +2,159.6
Violent Crime Rate 469.5 412.4 +57.1
Murder Rate 16.1 2.5 +13.5
Rape Rate 40.4 21.4 +19.0
Robbery Rate 77.2 77.4 -0.2
Aggravated Assault Rate 335.9 310.9 +24.9
Property Crime Rate 3,772.5 1,670.0 +2,102.4
Burglary Rate 254.3 187.4 +66.9
Larceny-Theft Rate 3,122.9 1,087.1 +2,035.8
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 395.3 395.5 -0.2

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Norfolk, VA to San Diego, CA?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Norfolk or San Diego safer?

San Diego, CA is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,242 for Norfolk, VA — a 51% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Norfolk has a violent crime rate of 469.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.

About Norfolk, VA

Norfolk, a historic port city in Southeast Virginia, is home to the world's largest naval base. Its waterfront location at the mouth of the Elizabeth River shapes its identity and economy, drawing a diverse population. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 230,460, Norfolk has a total crime rate of 4,242.0 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.

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