Is Odessa or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Odessa (Safety Score 38/100 vs 36/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,163 for Odessa — 4% lower. Odessa has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Odessa has a 50% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 12.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Odessa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Odessa, TX
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Odessa | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,163.1 | 2,082.4 | +80.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 320.6 | 412.4 | -91.8 |
| Murder Rate | 3.5 | 2.5 | +0.9 |
| Rape Rate | 53.4 | 21.4 | +32.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 38.8 | 77.4 | -38.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 220.6 | 310.9 | -90.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,842.5 | 1,670.0 | +172.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 219.8 | 187.4 | +32.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,368.5 | 1,087.1 | +281.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 254.2 | 395.5 | -141.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Odessa or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,163 for Odessa — a 4% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Odessa has a violent crime rate of 320.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Odessa has lower violent crime.
About Odessa, TX
Odessa, named after the Ukrainian city, is a West Texas hub in the Permian Basin. This arid region is a major center for oil and gas production, drawing a diverse, largely working-class population. With a safety score of 36/100 and a population coverage of 116,039, Odessa has a total crime rate of 2,163.1 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.