Is Pasadena or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Pasadena (Safety Score 38/100 vs 21/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,919 for Pasadena — 29% lower. Pasadena has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 39% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 9.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pasadena — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pasadena, TX
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pasadena | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,918.8 | 2,082.4 | +836.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 566.8 | 412.4 | +154.4 |
| Murder Rate | 4.1 | 2.5 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 69.6 | 21.4 | +48.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 73.7 | 77.4 | -3.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 418.7 | 310.9 | +107.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,351.9 | 1,670.0 | +681.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 252.1 | 187.4 | +64.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,677.7 | 1,087.1 | +590.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 422.2 | 395.5 | +26.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pasadena or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,919 for Pasadena — a 29% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pasadena has a violent crime rate of 566.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Pasadena, TX
Pasadena, Texas, founded in 1893 after a devastating hurricane, sits southeast of Houston. This large, working-class suburb is a hub for chemical and petrochemical industries along the Houston Ship Channel. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 145,199, Pasadena has a total crime rate of 2,918.8 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.