Is Portland or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Portland is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 80/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 832 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 60% lower. Portland has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Portland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 101.4x 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, TN
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Portland | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 831.9 | 2,082.4 | -1,250.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 372.2 | 412.4 | -40.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 36.5 | 21.4 | +15.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 77.4 | -77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 335.7 | 310.9 | +24.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 459.8 | 1,670.0 | -1,210.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 87.6 | 187.4 | -99.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 313.8 | 1,087.1 | -773.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 58.4 | 395.5 | -337.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portland or San Diego safer?
Portland is safer with a total crime rate of 832 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Portland has a violent crime rate of 372.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Portland has lower violent crime.
About Portland, TN
Portland, Tennessee, a small city in Sumner County, was once known as "The Strawberry Capital of the World." Situated near the Kentucky border, its population was 14,795 as of the 2020 census. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 13,703, Portland has a total crime rate of 831.9 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.