Is San Diego or San Luis Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Luis is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 88/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 636 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 69% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Luis has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 35.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Luis — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
San Luis, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | San Luis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 636.5 | +1,446.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 87.6 | +324.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 7.7 | +13.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 7.7 | +69.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 72.2 | +238.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 548.8 | +1,121.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 69.6 | +117.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 391.7 | +695.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 87.6 | +307.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or San Luis safer?
San Luis is safer with a total crime rate of 636 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while San Luis has 87.6. San Luis 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 Luis, AZ
San Luis, Arizona, a border town with Mexico, was founded by settlers in the late 19th century. Its population is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting the region's rich cultural heritage. With a safety score of 88/100 and a population coverage of 38,809, San Luis has a total crime rate of 636.5 per 100,000 residents.