Moving from San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, 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 Monica Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Diego is safer than Santa Monica (Safety Score 38/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 5,573 for Santa Monica — 63% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where San Diego has a 65% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 15.6x 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 Monica — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Santa Monica, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Santa Monica | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 5,572.9 | -3,490.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 782.5 | -370.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 4.5 | -2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 72.0 | -50.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 202.4 | -125.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 499.2 | -188.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 4,790.4 | -3,120.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 848.8 | -661.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 3,382.9 | -2,295.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 558.8 | -163.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from San Diego, CA to Santa Monica, 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 Monica safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 5,573 for Santa Monica — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Santa Monica has 782.5. 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 Monica, CA
Santa Monica, a coastal city west of downtown Los Angeles, is known for its iconic pier and vibrant tourism. Its beaches and Pacific Ocean proximity draw a diverse population, including many young professionals and families. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 88,948, Santa Monica has a total crime rate of 5,572.9 per 100,000 residents.