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San Francisco vs Chula Vista: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

San Francisco has a crime rate of 49.5 per 1,000 residents vs Chula Vista's 21.9 per 1,000, making Chula Vista 56% safer overall. Chula Vista earns a B- safety grade compared to San Francisco's F. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

F

San Francisco

California

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate49.5/1K
Percentile4%
B-

Chula Vista

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSan FranciscoChula Vista
Overall Crime Rate49.5/1K21.9/1K
Violent Crime Rate450.0479.6
Property Crime Rate4500.01708.9
Murder Rate6.87.4
Assault Rate288.5379.1
Robbery Rate61.073.5
Burglary Rate699.8193.5
Theft Rate3660.41263.3
Vehicle Theft Rate1091.0294.2

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 Francisco is safer in 4 and Chula Vista is safer in 5.

Victim Odds Comparison

In San Francisco, you have a 1 in 20 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 46 in Chula Vista.

Full Safety Reports

F
San Francisco, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B-
Chula Vista, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco safer than Chula Vista?
As of 2026, Chula Vista is 56% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.9 per 1,000 residents compared to San Francisco's 49.5. Chula Vista earns a B- safety grade vs San Francisco's F. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, San Francisco or Chula Vista?
Chula Vista has more violent crime at 480 per 100,000 residents. San Francisco is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in San Francisco vs Chula Vista?
San Francisco has a crime rate of 49.5 per 1,000 (violent: 450/100K, property: 4500/100K). Chula Vista has 21.9 per 1,000 (violent: 480/100K, property: 1709/100K).
Should I move to San Francisco or Chula Vista?
From a safety perspective, Chula Vista has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. San Francisco (pop. 826,079) and Chula Vista (pop. 275,533) differ in cost of living, job market, climate, and culture. Chula Vista's B- safety grade is a plus, but research all factors before deciding.
How do San Francisco and Chula Vista compare for property crime?
Chula Vista has lower property crime at 1709 per 100K vs San Francisco's 4500. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

San Francisco vs Los AngelesSan Francisco vs San DiegoSan Francisco vs San JoseChula Vista vs FresnoChula Vista vs SacramentoChula Vista vs Long Beach

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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