Is Petaluma or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Petaluma is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 58/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,445 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 31% lower. Petaluma has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Petaluma has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 23.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Petaluma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Petaluma, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Petaluma | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,444.6 | 2,082.4 | -637.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 271.8 | 412.4 | -140.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 44.5 | 21.4 | +23.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.5 | 77.4 | -32.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 182.9 | 310.9 | -128.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,172.8 | 1,670.0 | -497.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 95.7 | 187.4 | -91.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 976.2 | 1,087.1 | -110.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 100.9 | 395.5 | -294.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Petaluma or San Diego safer?
Petaluma is safer with a total crime rate of 1,445 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Petaluma has a violent crime rate of 271.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Petaluma has lower violent crime.
About Petaluma, CA
Nestled in Sonoma County, Petaluma is a historic dairy town known for its well-preserved iron-front buildings and a population of around 60,000. It straddles the Petaluma River, flowing into San Pablo Bay. With a safety score of 58/100 and a population coverage of 58,493, Petaluma has a total crime rate of 1,444.6 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.