Is San Diego or Ventura Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Ventura (Safety Score 38/100 vs 26/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,616 for Ventura — 20% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in property crime, where San Diego has a 24% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 12.8x 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
Ventura — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Ventura, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Ventura | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,616.5 | -534.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 410.9 | +1.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 2.8 | -0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 46.1 | -24.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 82.9 | -5.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 279.2 | +31.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,205.6 | -535.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 265.3 | -77.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,733.9 | -646.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 206.4 | +189.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Ventura safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,616 for Ventura — a 20% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Ventura has 410.9. Ventura 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 Ventura, CA
Ventura, a coastal city in Southern California, is known for its historic Mission San Buenaventura, founded in 1782. Its population is approximately 110,000, and it sits along the Pacific Ocean, offering a Mediterranean climate. With a safety score of 26/100 and a population coverage of 108,543, Ventura has a total crime rate of 2,616.5 per 100,000 residents.