Is Portland or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Diego is safer than Portland (Safety Score 38/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 6,247 for Portland — 67% lower. Portland has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 77% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 2.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Portland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Portland, OR
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Portland | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 6,246.7 | 2,082.4 | +4,164.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 720.5 | 412.4 | +308.1 |
| Murder Rate | 10.8 | 2.5 | +8.2 |
| Rape Rate | 50.9 | 21.4 | +29.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 177.4 | 77.4 | +100.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 481.2 | 310.9 | +170.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,526.2 | 1,670.0 | +3,856.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 727.4 | 187.4 | +540.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,921.3 | 1,087.1 | +2,834.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 877.6 | 395.5 | +482.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portland or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 6,247 for Portland — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Portland has a violent crime rate of 720.5 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Portland, OR
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.