Is San Antonio or Santa Maria Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Maria is safer than San Antonio (Safety Score 27/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100,000 versus 5,219 for San Antonio — 51% lower. San Antonio has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Maria has a 67% lower rate.
Note: San Antonio is 13.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
San Antonio — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Santa Maria — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Antonio, TX
Santa Maria, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Antonio | Santa Maria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,219.0 | 2,543.3 | +2,675.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 595.3 | 660.6 | -65.2 |
| Murder Rate | 8.4 | 2.7 | +5.7 |
| Rape Rate | 83.7 | 68.2 | +15.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 108.4 | 173.6 | -65.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 393.7 | 416.2 | -22.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,623.6 | 1,882.7 | +2,741.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 495.6 | 312.6 | +183.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,291.8 | 1,149.4 | +2,142.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 836.3 | 420.7 | +415.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Antonio or Santa Maria safer?
Santa Maria is safer with a total crime rate of 2,543 per 100K vs 5,219 for San Antonio — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Antonio has a violent crime rate of 595.3 per 100K while Santa Maria has 660.6. San Antonio has lower violent crime.
About San Antonio, TX
San Antonio, a South Texas city famed for the Alamo, sits along the Balcones Escarpment. Its population is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting a rich blend of cultures. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 1,514,458, San Antonio has a total crime rate of 5,219.0 per 100,000 residents.
About Santa Maria, CA
Santa Maria, California, a city in northern Santa Barbara County, is known for its barbecue and wine industry. It is the most populous city in the county, with a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population. With a safety score of 27/100 and a population coverage of 110,056, Santa Maria has a total crime rate of 2,543.3 per 100,000 residents.