Is San Diego or Tehachapi Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Tehachapi (Safety Score 38/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,124 for Tehachapi — 33% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Tehachapi has a 100% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 135.2x 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
Tehachapi — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Tehachapi, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Tehachapi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 3,124.1 | -1,041.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 574.2 | -161.8 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 0.0 | +2.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 77.9 | -56.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 97.3 | -19.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 399.0 | -88.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,549.9 | -879.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 126.5 | +60.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,043.8 | -956.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 379.6 | +16.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Tehachapi safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,124 for Tehachapi — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Tehachapi has 574.2. San Diego 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 Tehachapi, CA
Nestled in a mountain pass, Tehachapi is a small city known for its historic Tehachapi Loop railway engineering marvel. This Kern County community sits at a high elevation, offering a unique blend of high desert and mountain environments. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 10,275, Tehachapi has a total crime rate of 3,124.1 per 100,000 residents.