Moving from San Diego, CA to Scottsdale, AZ?
An out-of-state move adds a new driver's license, plates, voter registration and state-specific deadlines. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Is San Diego or Scottsdale Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Scottsdale is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 40/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 2,029 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 3% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Scottsdale has a 84% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 5.7x 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 MORE DANGEROUS than San Diego, CA?
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Scottsdale — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Scottsdale, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Scottsdale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,028.7 | +53.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 153.3 | +259.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.4 | +2.1 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 33.8 | -12.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 22.0 | +55.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 96.2 | +214.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,875.3 | -205.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 182.3 | +5.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,534.8 | -447.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 158.2 | +237.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from San Diego, CA to Scottsdale, AZ?
An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Scottsdale safer?
Scottsdale is safer with a total crime rate of 2,029 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 3% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Scottsdale has 153.3. Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, Arizona, a vibrant Sonoran Desert city, is known for its luxurious resorts and the historic influence of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. Located east of Phoenix, it's a popular destination for affluent residents and tourists seeking outdoor recreation and upscale amenities. With a safety score of 40/100 and a population coverage of 245,237, Scottsdale has a total crime rate of 2,028.7 per 100,000 residents.