Is Redwood City or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Redwood City (Safety Score 38/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,092 for Redwood City — 0% lower. Redwood City has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 44% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 17.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Redwood City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Redwood City, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Redwood City | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,092.2 | 2,082.4 | +9.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 472.2 | 412.4 | +59.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 |
| Rape Rate | 53.7 | 21.4 | +32.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 137.4 | 77.4 | +60.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 278.5 | 310.9 | -32.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,620.0 | 1,670.0 | -50.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 118.7 | 187.4 | -68.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,246.6 | 1,087.1 | +159.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 254.8 | 395.5 | -140.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Redwood City or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,092 for Redwood City — a 0% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Redwood City has a violent crime rate of 472.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, the county seat of San Mateo County, was once a major lumber port. It sits on the San Francisco Peninsula, with a diverse population and a significant Latin American community. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 80,060, Redwood City has a total crime rate of 2,092.2 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.