Is San Diego or Santa Paula Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Paula is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 66/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,204 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 42% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where Santa Paula has a 48% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 43.2x 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 Paula — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Santa Paula, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Santa Paula | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,204.1 | +878.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 329.8 | +82.6 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 3.1 | -0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 37.3 | -16.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 49.8 | +27.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 236.5 | +74.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 874.3 | +795.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 84.0 | +103.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 672.1 | +415.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 118.2 | +277.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Santa Paula safer?
Santa Paula is safer with a total crime rate of 1,204 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Santa Paula has 329.8. Santa Paula 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 Paula, CA
Nestled in the Santa Clara River Valley, Santa Paula is a Ventura County city known as the "Citrus Capital of the World." Its historic downtown and surrounding agricultural lands reflect a rich heritage, with a population of approximately 30,000 residents. With a safety score of 66/100 and a population coverage of 32,139, Santa Paula has a total crime rate of 1,204.1 per 100,000 residents.