Is San Diego or Virginia Beach Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Virginia Beach is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 48/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 17% lower. San Diego has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Virginia Beach has a 77% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 3.1x 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
Virginia Beach — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Virginia Beach, VA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Virginia Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 1,733.3 | +349.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 93.4 | +319.0 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 2.9 | -0.3 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 18.5 | +2.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 31.6 | +45.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 39.3 | +271.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 1,639.9 | +30.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 83.9 | +103.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,446.8 | -359.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 109.2 | +286.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Virginia Beach safer?
Virginia Beach is safer with a total crime rate of 1,733 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Virginia Beach has 93.4. Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach, a coastal city where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic, is home to the Naval Air Station Oceana, a major employer. Its population of nearly half a million is diverse, with significant military and retiree communities. With a safety score of 48/100 and a population coverage of 455,155, Virginia Beach has a total crime rate of 1,733.3 per 100,000 residents.