Is Placentia or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Placentia is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 46/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,824 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 12% lower. Placentia has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Placentia has a 24% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 26.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Placentia — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Placentia, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Placentia | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,823.8 | 2,082.4 | -258.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 357.5 | 412.4 | -54.9 |
| Murder Rate | 1.9 | 2.5 | -0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 17.3 | 21.4 | -4.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 59.6 | 77.4 | -17.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 278.7 | 310.9 | -32.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,466.4 | 1,670.0 | -203.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 246.0 | 187.4 | +58.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 985.9 | 1,087.1 | -101.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 234.5 | 395.5 | -161.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Placentia or San Diego safer?
Placentia is safer with a total crime rate of 1,824 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 12% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Placentia has a violent crime rate of 357.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Placentia has lower violent crime.
About Placentia, CA
Placentia, a city in northern Orange County, boasts a rich citrus heritage, once home to vast orange groves. The community is primarily residential, with a diverse population of around 52,000. With a safety score of 46/100 and a population coverage of 52,034, Placentia has a total crime rate of 1,823.8 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.