Is San Diego or San Marcos Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than San Marcos (Safety Score 38/100 vs 26/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,617 for San Marcos — 20% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Marcos has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 19.1x 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 Marcos — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
San Marcos, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | San Marcos | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,616.8 | -534.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 358.9 | +53.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 96.3 | -74.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 37.1 | +40.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 225.5 | +85.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,257.9 | -587.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 266.8 | -79.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,600.6 | -513.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 390.5 | +5.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or San Marcos safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,617 for San Marcos — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while San Marcos has 358.9. San Marcos 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 Marcos, TX
San Marcos, a city in Hays County, is known for the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Spring Lake, home to several endangered species. Its population is primarily students attending Texas State University. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 72,723, San Marcos has a total crime rate of 2,616.8 per 100,000 residents.