Is San Diego or San Mateo Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than San Mateo (Safety Score 38/100 vs 37/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,127 for San Mateo — 2% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 50% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 13.9x 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 Mateo — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
San Mateo, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | San Mateo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,126.5 | -44.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 243.2 | +169.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 5.0 | -2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 26.0 | -4.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 74.1 | +3.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 138.1 | +172.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,883.3 | -213.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 98.1 | +89.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,578.1 | -491.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 207.2 | +188.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or San Mateo safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,127 for San Mateo — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while San Mateo has 243.2. San Mateo 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 Mateo, CA
San Mateo, a city on the San Francisco Peninsula, was once home to the historic Borel Estate. Its diverse population of around 105,000 resides amidst a mix of urban and suburban landscapes. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 99,929, San Mateo has a total crime rate of 2,126.5 per 100,000 residents.