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Irvine vs Chula Vista: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Irvine has a crime rate of 11.6 per 1,000 residents vs Chula Vista's 21.9 per 1,000, making Irvine 47% safer overall. Irvine earns a B+ safety grade compared to Chula Vista's B-. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

B+

Irvine

California

Overall GradeB+
Violent CrimeB+
Property CrimeB+
Crime Rate11.6/1K
Percentile78%
B-

Chula Vista

California

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeC
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.9/1K
Percentile53%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricIrvineChula Vista
Overall Crime Rate11.6/1K21.9/1K
Violent Crime Rate60.0479.6
Property Crime Rate1100.01708.9
Murder Rate0.97.4
Assault Rate42.6379.1
Robbery Rate13.273.5
Burglary Rate172.1193.5
Theft Rate730.01263.3
Vehicle Theft Rate262.4294.2

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Category Winner Summary

Out of 9 crime categories, Irvine is safer in 9 and Chula Vista is safer in 0.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Irvine, you have a 1 in 86 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 46 in Chula Vista.

Full Safety Reports

B+
Irvine, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B-
Chula Vista, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Irvine safer than Chula Vista?
As of 2026, Irvine is 47% safer overall, with a crime rate of 11.6 per 1,000 residents compared to Chula Vista's 21.9. Irvine earns a B+ safety grade vs Chula Vista's B-. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Irvine or Chula Vista?
Chula Vista has more violent crime at 480 per 100,000 residents. Irvine is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Irvine vs Chula Vista?
Irvine has a crime rate of 11.6 per 1,000 (violent: 60/100K, property: 1100/100K). Chula Vista has 21.9 per 1,000 (violent: 480/100K, property: 1709/100K).
Should I move to Irvine or Chula Vista?
From a safety perspective, Irvine has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Irvine (pop. 318,764) and Chula Vista (pop. 275,533) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Irvine's B+ safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Irvine and Chula Vista compare for property crime?
Irvine has lower property crime at 1100 per 100K vs Chula Vista's 1709. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Irvine vs PlanoIrvine vs ScottsdaleIrvine vs GilbertChula Vista vs San FranciscoChula Vista vs FresnoChula Vista vs Sacramento

2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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