Is San Diego or San Leandro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than San Leandro (Safety Score 38/100 vs 6/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 4,472 for San Leandro — 53% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 72% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 16.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Leandro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
San Leandro, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | San Leandro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 4,471.5 | -2,389.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 548.7 | -136.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 4.8 | -2.2 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 19.0 | +2.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 280.3 | -202.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 244.7 | +66.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 3,922.8 | -2,252.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 574.8 | -387.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,134.2 | -1,047.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 1,213.8 | -818.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or San Leandro safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 4,472 for San Leandro — a 53% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while San Leandro has 548.7. 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 Leandro, CA
San Leandro, a diverse East Bay city, once housed a thriving cherry industry. It sits along the San Francisco Bay, with a significant Hispanic and Asian population. With a safety score of 6/100 and a population coverage of 84,200, San Leandro has a total crime rate of 4,471.5 per 100,000 residents.