Moving from San Diego, CA to San Rafael, CA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is San Diego or San Rafael Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Diego is safer than San Rafael (Safety Score 38/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,015 for San Rafael — 31% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 48% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 23.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than San Diego, CA?
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Rafael — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
San Rafael, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | San Rafael | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 3,015.1 | -932.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 559.0 | -146.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 1.7 | +0.8 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 50.8 | -29.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 149.1 | -71.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 357.4 | -46.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,456.1 | -786.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 264.2 | -76.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,770.1 | -683.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 421.8 | -26.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from San Diego, CA to San Rafael, CA?
The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or San Rafael safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,015 for San Rafael — a 31% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while San Rafael has 559.0. 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 Rafael, CA
Nestled in Marin County, San Rafael is a Bay Area city with a rich history, home to Mission San Rafael Arcángel, one of California's original missions. Its diverse population of over 60,000 residents reflects a blend of suburban charm and urban accessibility. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 59,037, San Rafael has a total crime rate of 3,015.1 per 100,000 residents.