Is San Diego or Sierra Madre Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sierra Madre is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 81/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 806 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 61% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sierra Madre has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 131.7x 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
Sierra Madre — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Sierra Madre, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Sierra Madre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 806.2 | +1,276.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 208.7 | +203.7 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 9.5 | +11.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 9.5 | +67.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 189.7 | +121.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 597.5 | +1,072.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 218.1 | -30.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 331.9 | +755.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 47.4 | +348.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Sierra Madre safer?
Sierra Madre is safer with a total crime rate of 806 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Sierra Madre has 208.7. Sierra Madre 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 Sierra Madre, CA
Nestled against the San Gabriel Mountains, Sierra Madre is a small, affluent community known for its annual Wistaria Festival. Its scenic, tree-lined streets are home to a predominantly older population. With a safety score of 81/100 and a population coverage of 10,544, Sierra Madre has a total crime rate of 806.2 per 100,000 residents.