Is Ontario or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Ontario (Safety Score 38/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,090 for Ontario — 0% lower. Ontario has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Ontario has a 34% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 7.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ontario — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ontario, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ontario | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,089.7 | 2,082.4 | +7.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 272.2 | 412.4 | -140.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.2 | 2.5 | -0.4 |
| Rape Rate | 43.8 | 21.4 | +22.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 77.4 | +0.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 148.8 | 310.9 | -162.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,817.5 | 1,670.0 | +147.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 238.7 | 187.4 | +51.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,113.3 | 1,087.1 | +26.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 465.5 | 395.5 | +69.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ontario or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,090 for Ontario — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ontario has a violent crime rate of 272.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Ontario has lower violent crime.
About Ontario, CA
Ontario, California, once known for its citrus groves and "Model Colony" design, sits in the Inland Empire. This diverse city, home to over 180,000 residents, serves as a logistics hub for Southern California. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 184,763, Ontario has a total crime rate of 2,089.7 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.