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Richmond, VA vs San Diego, CA Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Richmond crime rate · San Diego crime rate

Moving from Richmond, VA to San Diego, CA?

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Is Richmond, VA or San Diego, CA Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Diego, CA is safer than Richmond, VA (Safety Score 38/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,516 for Richmond, VA — 41% lower. Richmond has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 90% lower rate.

Note: San Diego is 6.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Richmond, VA?

Richmond — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

San Diego — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Richmond, VA

Richmond, VA
Safety Score 13/100
Coverage 231,805
Total Crime Rate 3,516.3
Category Wins 1/7

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA
Safety Score 38/100
Coverage 1,389,024
Total Crime Rate 2,082.4
Category Wins 6/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type Richmond San Diego Difference
Total Crime Rate 3,516.3 2,082.4 +1,433.9
Violent Crime Rate 336.9 412.4 -75.5
Murder Rate 24.2 2.5 +21.6
Rape Rate 18.6 21.4 -2.8
Robbery Rate 94.5 77.4 +17.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 199.7 310.9 -111.2
Property Crime Rate 3,179.4 1,670.0 +1,509.4
Burglary Rate 265.3 187.4 +77.9
Larceny-Theft Rate 2,386.9 1,087.1 +1,299.8
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 527.2 395.5 +131.6

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from Richmond, VA to San Diego, CA?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Richmond or San Diego safer?

San Diego, CA is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,516 for Richmond, VA — a 41% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

Richmond has a violent crime rate of 336.9 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Richmond has lower violent crime.

About Richmond, VA

Richmond, Virginia, a city pivotal during the Civil War, sits along the fall line of the James River. It's a diverse city, home to a vibrant arts scene and a growing population of young professionals. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 231,805, Richmond has a total crime rate of 3,516.3 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.

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