Moving from San Diego, CA to Sterling, CO?
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, CA or Sterling, CO Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, San Diego, CA is safer than Sterling, CO (Safety Score 38/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,319 for Sterling, CO — 37% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sterling has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 108.5x 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
Sterling — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Sterling, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Sterling | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 3,318.8 | -1,236.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 398.3 | +14.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 31.2 | -9.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 7.8 | +69.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 359.2 | -48.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,920.5 | -1,250.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 413.9 | -226.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,311.4 | -1,224.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 195.2 | +200.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Moving from San Diego, CA to Sterling, CO?
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 Sterling safer?
San Diego, CA is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,319 for Sterling, CO — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Sterling has 398.3. Sterling 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 Sterling, CO
Sterling, Colorado, a plains town and the county seat of Logan County, was founded in 1881 as a stop on the Union Pacific Railroad. It is home to Northeastern Junior College, serving a rural population in northeastern Colorado. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 12,806, Sterling has a total crime rate of 3,318.8 per 100,000 residents.