Is San Diego or Union City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Union City (Safety Score 38/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,643 for Union City — 21% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 36% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 21.7x 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
Union City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Union City, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Union City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,643.2 | -560.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 408.0 | +4.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 3.1 | -0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 17.2 | +4.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 120.4 | -43.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 267.3 | +43.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,235.2 | -565.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 292.3 | -104.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,269.2 | -182.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 673.7 | -278.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Union City safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,643 for Union City — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Union City has 408.0. Union City 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 Union City, CA
Union City, California, a diverse East Bay city, was formed by the merger of Alvarado and Decoto. It's home to a significant Filipino American population and offers views of the San Francisco Bay. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 63,976, Union City has a total crime rate of 2,643.2 per 100,000 residents.