Is Richmond or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Richmond (Safety Score 38/100 vs 11/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,685 for Richmond — 43% lower. Richmond has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 68% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 12.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Richmond, CA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Richmond | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,685.5 | 2,082.4 | +1,603.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 923.1 | 412.4 | +510.8 |
| Murder Rate | 7.9 | 2.5 | +5.4 |
| Rape Rate | 21.2 | 21.4 | -0.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 231.0 | 77.4 | +153.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 663.0 | 310.9 | +352.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,762.4 | 1,670.0 | +1,092.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 128.7 | 187.4 | -58.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,653.2 | 1,087.1 | +566.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 980.4 | 395.5 | +584.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richmond or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,685 for Richmond — a 43% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Richmond has a violent crime rate of 923.1 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Richmond, CA
Richmond, California, a Bay Area city with a deep industrial past, was home to a major Kaiser Shipyard during WWII. This diverse city on the San Francisco Bay has a significant Black population, reflecting its wartime boom. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 113,418, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,685.5 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.