Is Oroville or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Oroville (Safety Score 38/100 vs 4/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,800 for Oroville — 57% lower. Oroville has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Oroville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 72.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Oroville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Oroville, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Oroville | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,800.2 | 2,082.4 | +2,717.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 980.8 | 412.4 | +568.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 160.9 | 21.4 | +139.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 176.4 | 77.4 | +99.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 643.5 | 310.9 | +332.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,819.4 | 1,670.0 | +2,149.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 435.9 | 187.4 | +248.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,636.2 | 1,087.1 | +1,549.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 747.3 | 395.5 | +351.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oroville or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,800 for Oroville — a 57% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Oroville has a violent crime rate of 980.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Oroville, CA
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Oroville is home to Lake Oroville, a major state water source. This city, once a gold rush boomtown, serves as the county seat for Butte County. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 19,270, Oroville has a total crime rate of 4,800.2 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.