Is Oakland or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Oakland is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 89/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 580 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 72% lower. Oakland has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Oakland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 126.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Oakland — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Oakland, TN
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Oakland | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 580.5 | 2,082.4 | -1,502.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 72.6 | 412.4 | -339.8 |
| Murder Rate | 9.1 | 2.5 | +6.6 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 21.4 | -21.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 63.5 | 310.9 | -247.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 507.9 | 1,670.0 | -1,162.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 45.4 | 187.4 | -142.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 380.9 | 1,087.1 | -706.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 81.6 | 395.5 | -313.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oakland or San Diego safer?
Oakland is safer with a total crime rate of 580 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 72% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Oakland has a violent crime rate of 72.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Oakland has lower violent crime.
About Oakland, TN
Oakland, Tennessee, a town in Fayette County, was settled in the early 19th century and named for its oak trees. It has seen significant population growth in recent decades, evolving from a rural community to a suburban one. With a safety score of 89/100 and a population coverage of 11,026, Oakland has a total crime rate of 580.5 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.