Is San Diego or Tempe Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Tempe (Safety Score 38/100 vs 14/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,364 for Tempe — 38% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where San Diego has a 42% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 7.3x 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
Tempe — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Tempe, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Tempe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 3,364.1 | -1,281.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 470.3 | -57.9 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 2.6 | -0.1 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 71.6 | -50.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 66.4 | +11.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 329.7 | -18.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,893.8 | -1,223.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 334.4 | -147.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,257.9 | -1,170.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 301.5 | +94.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Tempe safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,364 for Tempe — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Tempe has 470.3. 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 Tempe, AZ
Tempe, Arizona, home to Arizona State University's largest campus, sits in the Valley of the Sun. This vibrant city, named for the Vale of Tempe in Greece, boasts a young, educated population drawn to its urban core and outdoor recreation along Tempe Town Lake. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 191,376, Tempe has a total crime rate of 3,364.1 per 100,000 residents.