Is San Diego or Vancouver Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Vancouver (Safety Score 38/100 vs 9/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,991 for Vancouver — 48% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 55% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 7.0x 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
Vancouver — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Vancouver, WA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Vancouver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 3,991.0 | -1,908.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 583.8 | -171.4 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 5.6 | -3.0 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 61.6 | -40.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 122.1 | -44.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 393.1 | -82.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 3,407.3 | -1,737.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 469.2 | -281.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,341.1 | -1,254.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 596.9 | -201.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Vancouver safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,991 for Vancouver — a 48% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Vancouver has 583.8. 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 Vancouver, WA
Vancouver, Washington, across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, is the fourth-largest city in Washington. It was the site of Fort Vancouver, a major 19th-century fur trading post. The city has seen significant growth, with a population over 190,000. With a safety score of 9/100 and a population coverage of 198,194, Vancouver has a total crime rate of 3,991.0 per 100,000 residents.