Is San Diego or San Francisco Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than San Francisco (Safety Score 38/100 vs 5/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,526 for San Francisco — 54% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 71% lower rate.
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Francisco — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 4,525.6 | -2,443.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 596.5 | -184.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 4.4 | -1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 34.9 | -13.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 267.2 | -189.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 290.1 | +20.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 3,929.1 | -2,259.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 637.5 | -450.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,618.9 | -1,531.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 672.7 | -277.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or San Francisco safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,526 for San Francisco — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while San Francisco has 596.5. San Diego has lower violent crime.
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.
About San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, a vibrant Northern California port city renowned for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, spans a hilly peninsula. Home to a diverse population of nearly 850,000, it was a pivotal center of the counterculture movement in the 1960s. With a safety score of 5/100 and a population coverage of 802,856, San Francisco has a total crime rate of 4,525.6 per 100,000 residents.