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San Diego vs Fresno: 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 Fresno's 23.4 per 1,000, making San Diego 8% safer overall. San Diego earns a B- safety grade compared to Fresno's C+. 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%
C+

Fresno

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.4/1K
Percentile49%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan DiegoFresno
Overall Crime Rate21.5/1K23.4/1K
Violent Crime Rate350.0430.6
Property Crime Rate1800.01912.4
Murder Rate6.35.8
Assault Rate243.0333.7
Robbery Rate75.385.7
Burglary Rate256.4217.5
Theft Rate1479.61400.3
Vehicle Theft Rate338.9324.2

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 5 and Fresno is safer in 4.

Victim Odds Comparison

In San Diego, you have a 1 in 47 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 43 in Fresno.

Full Safety Reports

B-
San Diego, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
C+
Fresno, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego safer than Fresno?
As of 2026, San Diego is 8% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Fresno's 23.4. San Diego earns a B- safety grade vs Fresno's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, San Diego or Fresno?
Fresno has more violent crime at 431 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 Fresno?
San Diego has a crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 (violent: 350/100K, property: 1800/100K). Fresno has 23.4 per 1,000 (violent: 431/100K, property: 1912/100K).
Should I move to San Diego or Fresno?
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 Fresno (pop. 555,549) 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 Fresno compare for property crime?
San Diego has lower property crime at 1800 per 100K vs Fresno's 1912. 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 AustinFresno vs San JoseFresno vs San FranciscoFresno 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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