Is San Diego or Vacaville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Vacaville is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 39/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 2,033 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 2% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Vacaville has a 62% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 13.5x 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
Vacaville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Vacaville, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Vacaville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,032.7 | +49.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 293.2 | +119.2 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 1.0 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 41.9 | -20.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 53.6 | +23.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 196.7 | +114.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,739.5 | -69.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 152.9 | +34.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,380.1 | -293.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 206.5 | +189.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Vacaville safer?
Vacaville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,033 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Vacaville has 293.2. Vacaville 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 Vacaville, CA
Vacaville, nestled in Solano County, was once a prominent agricultural center known for its fruit orchards. Today, this city of over 100,000 residents serves as a significant bedroom community for the Bay Area. With a safety score of 39/100 and a population coverage of 102,672, Vacaville has a total crime rate of 2,032.7 per 100,000 residents.