Is San Diego or San Luis Obispo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than San Luis Obispo (Safety Score 38/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,093 for San Luis Obispo — 33% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Luis Obispo has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 27.8x 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 Obispo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
San Luis Obispo, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | San Luis Obispo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 3,093.2 | -1,010.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 424.4 | -12.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 60.1 | -38.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 82.1 | -4.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 282.3 | +28.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,668.8 | -998.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 322.3 | -134.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,196.3 | -1,109.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 150.2 | +245.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or San Luis Obispo safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,093 for San Luis Obispo — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while San Luis Obispo has 424.4. 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 Luis Obispo, CA
Nestled in California's Central Coast, San Luis Obispo is home to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded in 1772. This city of roughly 47,000 residents boasts a vibrant downtown and is surrounded by rolling hills. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 49,948, San Luis Obispo has a total crime rate of 3,093.2 per 100,000 residents.