Is San Diego or Shafter Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Shafter is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 51/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,644 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 21% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Shafter has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 61.5x 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
Shafter — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Shafter, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Shafter | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,643.8 | +438.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 279.1 | +133.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 53.2 | -31.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 8.9 | +68.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 217.1 | +93.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,364.6 | +305.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 115.2 | +72.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 806.4 | +280.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 443.1 | -47.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Shafter safer?
Shafter is safer with a total crime rate of 1,644 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Shafter has 279.1. Shafter 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 Shafter, CA
Shafter, a Central Valley city, grew from a Santa Fe Railway colony in 1914. Its economy is deeply rooted in agriculture and oil, with a diverse, predominantly Hispanic population. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 22,570, Shafter has a total crime rate of 1,643.8 per 100,000 residents.