Is San Diego or Sonoma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sonoma is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 62/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,332 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 36% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sonoma has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 131.3x 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
Sonoma — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Sonoma, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Sonoma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,332.3 | +750.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 179.5 | +232.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 9.5 | +11.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 37.8 | +39.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 132.3 | +178.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,152.8 | +517.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 207.9 | -20.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 869.3 | +217.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 75.6 | +319.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Sonoma safer?
Sonoma is safer with a total crime rate of 1,332 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 36% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Sonoma has 179.5. Sonoma 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 Sonoma, CA
Sonoma, California, a historic town in the heart of wine country, is known for its Spanish colonial mission and the Sonoma Plaza. Located north of San Francisco, its population is approximately 11,000 residents. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 10,583, Sonoma has a total crime rate of 1,332.3 per 100,000 residents.