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D

Is San Diego, California Safe?

Population 1,406,106 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate above the national average, San Diego faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 85% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,845 per 100K.

San Diego Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSan DiegoCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate486.7333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2237.52099.21,832.3
Murder Rate10.0--5.7
Assault Rate314.0--268.2
Theft Rate1845.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate420.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

272.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD-

487/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2238/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for San Diego

Violent crime in San Diego is above the national average. The rate of 486.7 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2237.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,845 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 314 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

San Diego Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder10
01.8x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault314
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery115
01.8x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary319
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,845
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft420
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How San Diego Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Diego
486.7
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Diego
2237.5
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About San Diego Safety

Is San Diego safe?
Not especially. San Diego earns a D with a crime rate of 272.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in San Diego?
272.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 486.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2237.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is San Diego safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. San Diego's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,845 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in San Diego?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in San Diego generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the San Diego police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in San Diego?
Crime rates have held steady in San Diego, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does San Diego compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. San Diego ranks behind about 87% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is San Diego to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in San Diego?
Bad. A D grade and 272.4 per-thousand rate put San Diego below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 487 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in San Diego?
486.7 per 100,000, which is 34% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (314), robbery (115), and murder (10.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in California

Similar-sized communities in California. Compare crime rates across the state.

D-
See crime rates in San Jose989,814 pop · Grade D-
F
See crime rates in San Francisco826,079 pop · Grade F
D+
See crime rates in Fresno555,549 pop · Grade D+
D+
See crime rates in Sacramento536,449 pop · Grade D+
D+
See crime rates in Long Beach450,469 pop · Grade D+
F
See crime rates in Oakland440,838 pop · Grade F
View all California city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in San Diego

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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