Is San Diego or Whittier Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Whittier (Safety Score 38/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,866 for Whittier — 27% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 58% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 16.7x 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
Whittier — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
Whittier, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | Whittier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 2,865.9 | -783.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 490.5 | -78.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 6.0 | -3.5 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 28.9 | -7.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 143.1 | -65.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 312.6 | -1.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,375.4 | -705.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 341.4 | -154.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 1,606.0 | -519.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 428.0 | -32.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or Whittier safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,866 for Whittier — a 27% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while Whittier has 490.5. 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 Whittier, CA
Whittier, a city in southeast Los Angeles County, is known for its tree-lined streets and historic Uptown district, home to Whittier College. Its diverse population includes a significant Hispanic community. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 83,186, Whittier has a total crime rate of 2,865.9 per 100,000 residents.