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San Diego vs Austin: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

San Diego has a crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 residents vs Austin's 39.5 per 1,000, making San Diego 46% safer overall. San Diego earns a B- safety grade compared to Austin's D-. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

B-

San Diego

California

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

Austin

Texas

Overall GradeD-
Violent CrimeB-
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate39.5/1K
Percentile14%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan DiegoAustin
Overall Crime Rate21.5/1K39.5/1K
Violent Crime Rate350.0350.0
Property Crime Rate1800.03600.0
Murder Rate6.34.6
Assault Rate243.0278.3
Robbery Rate75.360.6
Burglary Rate256.4461.8
Theft Rate1479.63112.6
Vehicle Theft Rate338.9763.2

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, San Diego is safer in 6 and Austin is safer in 2, with 1 tied.

Victim Odds Comparison

In San Diego, you have a 1 in 47 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 25 in Austin.

Full Safety Reports

B-
San Diego, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
D-
Austin, Texas Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Weather Comparison: San Diego vs Austin

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

Austin Climate Overview

Annual High80.2°F
Annual Low58.7°F
Annual Rain33.9"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months5
Best MonthApril
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarmHot

Monthly Temperature Comparison

San DiegoAustinHigh/Low °F range
40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Austin is 20°F warmer in summer than San Diego, but Austin is 7°F colder in winter than San Diego. Austin is wetter with 34" of annual rain compared to 11". San Diego has more comfortable weather months (12 vs 5).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego safer than Austin?
As of 2026, San Diego is 46% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Austin's 39.5. San Diego earns a B- safety grade vs Austin's D-. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, San Diego or Austin?
Austin has more violent crime at 350 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 San Diego vs Austin?
San Diego has a crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 (violent: 350/100K, property: 1800/100K). Austin has 39.5 per 1,000 (violent: 350/100K, property: 3600/100K).
Should I move to San Diego or Austin?
From a safety perspective, San Diego has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. San Diego (pop. 1,406,106) and Austin (pop. 1,002,632) 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 San Diego and Austin compare for property crime?
San Diego has lower property crime at 1800 per 100K vs Austin's 3600. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

San Diego vs Los AngelesSan Diego vs San FranciscoSan Diego vs San JoseAustin vs HoustonAustin vs DallasAustin vs San Antonio

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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