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Orange, CA vs San Diego, CA Crime Comparison

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

Full report: Orange crime rate · San Diego crime rate

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Is Orange, CA or San Diego, CA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Orange, CA is safer than San Diego, CA (Safety Score 56/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,515 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego, CA — 27% lower. Orange has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where Orange has a 100% lower rate.

Note: San Diego is 10.1x 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 Orange, CA?

Orange — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

San Diego — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Orange, CA

Orange, CA
Safety Score 56/100
Coverage 137,970
Total Crime Rate 1,514.8
Category Wins 6/7

San Diego, CA

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

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Orange San Diego Difference
Total Crime Rate 1,514.8 2,082.4 -567.6
Violent Crime Rate 226.9 412.4 -185.5
Murder Rate 0.0 2.5 -2.5
Rape Rate 12.3 21.4 -9.1
Robbery Rate 76.8 77.4 -0.6
Aggravated Assault Rate 137.0 310.9 -174.0
Property Crime Rate 1,288.0 1,670.0 -382.1
Burglary Rate 357.3 187.4 +169.9
Larceny-Theft Rate 703.1 1,087.1 -384.0
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 227.6 395.5 -167.9

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

Moving from Orange, CA to San Diego, CA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Orange or San Diego safer?

Orange, CA is safer with a total crime rate of 1,515 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego, CA — a 27% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Orange has a violent crime rate of 226.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Orange has lower violent crime.

About Orange, CA

Orange, California, a city in Orange County, is home to Chapman University and boasts a historic Old Town Plaza. Positioned in Southern California, it features a diverse suburban population. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 137,970, Orange has a total crime rate of 1,514.8 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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