Is San Diego or Tucson Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Tucson (Safety Score 38/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,903 for Tucson — 47% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 63% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 2.5x 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
Tucson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Tucson, AZ
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Tucson | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 3,902.8 | -1,820.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 589.7 | -177.3 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 6.7 | -4.2 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 47.7 | -26.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 108.1 | -30.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 426.2 | -115.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 3,313.1 | -1,643.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 296.8 | -109.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,500.6 | -1,413.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 515.7 | -120.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Tucson safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,903 for Tucson — a 47% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Tucson has 589.7. 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 Tucson, AZ
Tucson, a Sonoran Desert city in southern Arizona, is known for its vibrant Mexican-American heritage and the University of Arizona. Over half a million people reside here, nestled among five mountain ranges. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 548,789, Tucson has a total crime rate of 3,902.8 per 100,000 residents.