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Santa Ana vs Chula Vista: Crime & Safety Comparison (2026)

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Santa Ana has a crime rate of 27.2 per 1,000 residents vs Chula Vista's 21.9 per 1,000, making Chula Vista 19% safer overall. Chula Vista earns a B- safety grade compared to Santa Ana's C. Both figures are based on 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

C

Santa Ana

California

Overall GradeC
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC
Crime Rate27.2/1K
Percentile39%
B-

Chula Vista

California

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

Head-to-Head Crime Comparison

MetricSanta AnaChula Vista
Overall Crime Rate27.2/1K21.9/1K
Violent Crime Rate412.8479.6
Property Crime Rate2310.01708.9
Murder Rate8.47.4
Assault Rate344.1379.1
Robbery Rate82.373.5
Burglary Rate346.5193.5
Theft Rate1818.61263.3
Vehicle Theft Rate585.8294.2

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, Santa Ana is safer in 2 and Chula Vista is safer in 7.

Victim Odds Comparison

In Santa Ana, you have a 1 in 37 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 46 in Chula Vista.

Full Safety Reports

C
Santa Ana, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends
B-
Chula Vista, California Safety ReportFull crime breakdown, FAQs, and trends

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Santa Ana safer than Chula Vista?
As of 2026, Chula Vista is 19% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.9 per 1,000 residents compared to Santa Ana's 27.2. Chula Vista earns a B- safety grade vs Santa Ana's C. Based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Which city has more violent crime, Santa Ana or Chula Vista?
Chula Vista has more violent crime at 480 per 100,000 residents. Santa Ana is safer for violent crime. The national average is 363.8 per 100,000.
What is the crime rate in Santa Ana vs Chula Vista?
Santa Ana has a crime rate of 27.2 per 1,000 (violent: 413/100K, property: 2310/100K). Chula Vista has 21.9 per 1,000 (violent: 480/100K, property: 1709/100K).
Should I move to Santa Ana or Chula Vista?
From a safety perspective, Chula Vista has lower crime rates across most categories. However, safety is just one factor. Santa Ana (pop. 315,586) 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 Santa Ana and Chula Vista compare for property crime?
Chula Vista has lower property crime at 1709 per 100K vs Santa Ana's 2310. The national average is 1,832 per 100K. Theft is the most common property crime in both cities.

Related Comparisons

Santa Ana vs San FranciscoSanta Ana vs FresnoSanta Ana vs SacramentoChula Vista vs San FranciscoChula Vista vs FresnoChula Vista 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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