Is Portales or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Portales (Safety Score 38/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,653 for Portales — 43% lower. Portales has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 70% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 118.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Portales — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portales, NM
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Portales | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,652.7 | 2,082.4 | +1,570.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 781.5 | 412.4 | +369.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.5 | 2.5 | +6.0 |
| Rape Rate | 51.0 | 21.4 | +29.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 42.5 | 77.4 | -34.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 679.6 | 310.9 | +368.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,871.2 | 1,670.0 | +1,201.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 1,495.1 | 187.4 | +1,307.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,070.3 | 1,087.1 | -16.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 305.8 | 395.5 | -89.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portales or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,653 for Portales — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Portales has a violent crime rate of 781.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Portales, NM
Portales, New Mexico, a Roosevelt County seat, is known for its peanut industry and as home to Eastern New Mexico University. This small city, with a population around 12,000, sits on the High Plains near the Texas border. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 11,772, Portales has a total crime rate of 3,652.7 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.