Is San Diego or Santa Ana Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Santa Ana (Safety Score 38/100 vs 35/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,196 for Santa Ana — 5% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 48% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 4.5x 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
Santa Ana — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Santa Ana, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Santa Ana | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,195.6 | -113.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 493.4 | -81.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 4.8 | -2.3 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 52.5 | -31.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 106.0 | -28.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 329.7 | -18.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,702.2 | -32.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 225.6 | -38.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,160.5 | -73.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 316.1 | +79.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Santa Ana safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,196 for Santa Ana — a 5% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Santa Ana has 493.4. 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 Santa Ana, CA
Santa Ana, the seat of Orange County, sits along the Santa Ana River. Its historic downtown, including the Yost Theater, reflects its rich past. Over 75% of its diverse population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 310,304, Santa Ana has a total crime rate of 2,195.6 per 100,000 residents.