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Los Angeles vs San Diego: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Los Angeles has a crime rate of 32 per 1,000 residents vs San Diego's 21.5 per 1,000, making San Diego 33% safer overall. San Diego earns a B- safety grade compared to Los Angeles's C-. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C-

Los Angeles

California

Overall GradeC-
Violent CrimeD
Property CrimeC
Crime Rate32/1K
Percentile27%
B-

San Diego

California

Overall GradeB-
Violent CrimeB-
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate21.5/1K
Percentile54%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricLos AngelesSan Diego
Overall Crime Rate32/1K21.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate700.0350.0
Property Crime Rate2500.01800.0
Murder Rate10.26.3
Assault Rate490.2243.0
Robbery Rate140.975.3
Burglary Rate327.5256.4
Theft Rate1736.21479.6
Vehicle Theft Rate273.1338.9

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, Los Angeles is safer in 1 and San Diego is safer in 8.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Los Angeles, you have a 1 in 31 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 47 in San Diego.

Full Safety Reports

C-
Los Angeles, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B-
San Diego, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: Los Angeles vs San Diego

Los Angeles Climate Overview

Annual High75°F
Annual Low56.7°F
Annual Rain14.7"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months12
Best MonthJune
Worst MonthFebruary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarm

San Diego Climate Overview

Annual High70.7°F
Annual Low57.1°F
Annual Rain10.8"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months12
Best MonthJuly
Worst MonthFebruary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

Los AngelesSan DiegoHigh/Low °F range
40°50°60°70°80°90°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Los Angeles is 7°F warmer in summer than San Diego, but winter temperatures are comparable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles safer than San Diego?
As of 2026, San Diego is 33% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Los Angeles's 32. San Diego earns a B- safety grade vs Los Angeles's C-. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Los Angeles or San Diego?
Los Angeles has more violent crime at 700 per 100,000 residents. San Diego is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Los Angeles vs San Diego?
Los Angeles has a crime rate of 32 per 1,000 (violent: 700/100K, property: 2500/100K). San Diego has 21.5 per 1,000 (violent: 350/100K, property: 1800/100K).
Should I move to Los Angeles or San Diego?
From a safety perspective, San Diego has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Los Angeles (pop. 3,869,089) and San Diego (pop. 1,406,106) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. San Diego's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do Los Angeles and San Diego compare for property crime?
San Diego has lower property crime at 1800 per 100K vs Los Angeles's 2500. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San FranciscoLos Angeles vs SacramentoLos Angeles vs New YorkSan Diego vs San FranciscoSan Diego vs AustinSan Diego vs San Jose

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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