Moving from San Diego, CA to Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Diego is safer than Santa Maria (Safety Score 38/100 vs 28/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,543 for Santa Maria — 18% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 55% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 12.6x 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
Santa Maria — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Santa Maria, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Santa Maria | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,543.3 | -460.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 660.6 | -248.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 2.7 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 68.2 | -46.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 173.6 | -96.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 416.2 | -105.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,882.7 | -212.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 312.6 | -125.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,149.4 | -62.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 420.7 | -25.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from San Diego, CA to Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,543 for Santa Maria — a 18% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Santa Maria has 660.6. 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 Maria, CA
Santa Maria, California, a city in northern Santa Barbara County, is known for its barbecue and wine industry. It is the most populous city in the county, with a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population. With a safety score of 28/100 and a population coverage of 110,056, Santa Maria has a total crime rate of 2,543.3 per 100,000 residents.