Is Richardson or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Richardson is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 41/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,986 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 5% lower. Richardson has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Richardson has a 63% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 11.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Richardson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Richardson, TX
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Richardson | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,986.2 | 2,082.4 | -96.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 152.6 | 412.4 | -259.8 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 2.5 | -0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 8.5 | 21.4 | -12.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 38.2 | 77.4 | -39.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 98.3 | 310.9 | -212.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,833.6 | 1,670.0 | +163.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 220.4 | 187.4 | +33.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,295.3 | 1,087.1 | +208.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 317.9 | 395.5 | -77.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richardson or San Diego safer?
Richardson is safer with a total crime rate of 1,986 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Richardson has a violent crime rate of 152.6 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Richardson has lower violent crime.
About Richardson, TX
Richardson, a northern Dallas suburb, is home to the Telecom Corridor, a hub for technology companies. This city of over 120,000 residents boasts a diverse population. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 117,962, Richardson has a total crime rate of 1,986.2 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.