Is Pittsburg or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Pittsburg (Safety Score 38/100 vs 26/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,609 for Pittsburg — 20% lower. Pittsburg has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 31% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 18.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Pittsburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Pittsburg, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Pittsburg | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,609.1 | 2,082.4 | +526.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 460.2 | 412.4 | +47.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.6 | 2.5 | +0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 37.0 | 21.4 | +15.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 112.4 | 77.4 | +35.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 308.1 | 310.9 | -2.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,148.9 | 1,670.0 | +478.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 321.3 | 187.4 | +133.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,024.9 | 1,087.1 | -62.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 802.7 | 395.5 | +407.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pittsburg or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,609 for Pittsburg — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Pittsburg has a violent crime rate of 460.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Pittsburg, CA
Pittsburg, California, once a thriving fishing port, sits on the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. This diverse East Bay city has a population of over 76,000, with a significant Hispanic and Latino presence. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 75,621, Pittsburg has a total crime rate of 2,609.1 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.