Is San Diego or Santa Rosa Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Santa Rosa is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 51/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,663 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 20% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Santa Rosa has a 55% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 7.9x 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 Rosa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Santa Rosa, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Santa Rosa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,662.6 | +419.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 342.6 | +69.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 1.1 | +1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 67.4 | -46.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 66.8 | +10.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 207.3 | +103.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,320.0 | +350.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 231.2 | -43.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 919.2 | +167.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 169.6 | +226.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Santa Rosa safer?
Santa Rosa is safer with a total crime rate of 1,663 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Santa Rosa has 342.6. Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
Nestled in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa is a city of over 175,000 residents, famously home to Charles M. Schulz. It's a gateway to California's Wine Country, situated amidst rolling hills and vineyards. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 175,147, Santa Rosa has a total crime rate of 1,662.6 per 100,000 residents.