Is Pendleton or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Pendleton (Safety Score 38/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,090 for Pendleton — 33% lower. Pendleton has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pendleton has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 79.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pendleton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pendleton, OR
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pendleton | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,089.8 | 2,082.4 | +1,007.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 408.5 | 412.4 | -3.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 103.6 | 21.4 | +82.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 23.0 | 77.4 | -54.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 281.9 | 310.9 | -29.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,681.2 | 1,670.0 | +1,011.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 258.9 | 187.4 | +71.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,192.2 | 1,087.1 | +1,105.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 230.2 | 395.5 | -165.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pendleton or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,090 for Pendleton — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pendleton has a violent crime rate of 408.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Pendleton has lower violent crime.
About Pendleton, OR
Pendleton, Oregon, a city of about 17,000 in Umatilla County, is famous for its annual Pendleton Round-Up rodeo. Situated along the Umatilla River in Eastern Oregon, it was once a major wheat shipping hub. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 17,380, Pendleton has a total crime rate of 3,089.8 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.