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San Diego vs South Pasadena Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: San Diego crime rate · South Pasadena crime rate

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Is San Diego or South Pasadena Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Diego is safer than South Pasadena (Safety Score 38/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,723 for South Pasadena — 24% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.

The biggest difference is in violent crime, where South Pasadena has a 49% lower rate.

Note: San Diego is 55.1x 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 SAFER than San Diego, CA?

San Diego — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

South Pasadena — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Increasing Property Increasing Total

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA
Safety Score 38/100
Coverage 1,389,024
Total Crime Rate 2,082.4
Category Wins 4/7

South Pasadena, CA

South Pasadena, CA
Safety Score 24/100
Coverage 25,228
Total Crime Rate 2,723.2
Category Wins 3/7

Detailed Crime Rate Comparison

Crime Type San Diego South Pasadena Difference
Total Crime Rate 2,082.4 2,723.2 -640.8
Violent Crime Rate 412.4 210.1 +202.3
Murder Rate 2.5 4.0 -1.4
Rape Rate 21.4 19.8 +1.6
Robbery Rate 77.4 75.3 +2.1
Aggravated Assault Rate 310.9 111.0 +200.0
Property Crime Rate 1,670.0 2,513.1 -843.1
Burglary Rate 187.4 333.0 -145.6
Larceny-Theft Rate 1,087.1 1,890.8 -803.7
Motor Vehicle Theft Rate 395.5 289.4 +106.2

All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.

Moving from San Diego, CA to South Pasadena, CA?

The Moving Checklist Planner turns your move-in date into a dated checklist, packing inventory and budget — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego or South Pasadena safer?

San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,723 for South Pasadena — a 24% difference.

How do violent crime rates compare?

San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while South Pasadena has 210.1. South Pasadena 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 South Pasadena, CA

Nestled in the San Gabriel Valley, South Pasadena is a small, affluent city with tree-lined streets and historic Craftsman homes. It's home to the iconic Rose Parade, drawing a diverse population with a median household income well above the national average. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 25,228, South Pasadena has a total crime rate of 2,723.2 per 100,000 residents.

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