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San Diego vs Sacramento: 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 Sacramento's 23 per 1,000, making San Diego 7% safer overall. San Diego earns a B- safety grade compared to Sacramento'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+

Sacramento

California

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23/1K
Percentile50%

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan DiegoSacramento
Overall Crime Rate21.5/1K23/1K
Violent Crime Rate350.0414.0
Property Crime Rate1800.01886.2
Murder Rate6.38.4
Assault Rate243.0276.2
Robbery Rate75.365.8
Burglary Rate256.4279.7
Theft Rate1479.61539.8
Vehicle Theft Rate338.9297.0

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 7 and Sacramento is safer in 2.

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 Sacramento.

Full Safety Reports

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

Weather Comparison: San Diego vs Sacramento

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

Sacramento Climate Overview

Annual High74.1°F
Annual Low50°F
Annual Rain19.6"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months7
Best MonthSeptember
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Monthly Temperature Comparison

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

Sacramento is 16°F warmer in summer than San Diego, but Sacramento is 9°F colder in winter than San Diego. Sacramento is wetter with 20" of annual rain compared to 11". San Diego has more comfortable weather months (12 vs 7).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego safer than Sacramento?
As of 2026, San Diego is 7% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 residents compared to Sacramento's 23. San Diego earns a B- safety grade vs Sacramento's C+. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, San Diego or Sacramento?
Sacramento has more violent crime at 414 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 Sacramento?
San Diego has a crime rate of 21.5 per 1,000 (violent: 350/100K, property: 1800/100K). Sacramento has 23 per 1,000 (violent: 414/100K, property: 1886/100K).
Should I move to San Diego or Sacramento?
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 Sacramento (pop. 536,449) 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 Sacramento compare for property crime?
San Diego has lower property crime at 1800 per 100K vs Sacramento's 1886. 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 AustinSacramento vs Los AngelesSacramento vs San JoseSacramento vs San Francisco

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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