| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | San Diego/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 30,976 | n/a (estimate) | 2,248 | 2,843 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 53 | n/a | 3.8 | 5.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 410 | n/a | 29.8 | 37.4 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 1,288 | n/a | 93.5 | 123.5 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 4,181 | n/a | 303.4 | 332.8 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 5,932 | n/a (estimate) | 431 | 500 | 370 |
| Burglary | 3,290 | n/a | 238.8 | 371.9 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 15,106 | n/a | 1,096.4 | 1,499.3 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 6,648 | n/a | 482.5 | 471.9 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 25,044 | n/a (estimate) | 1,818 | 2,343 | 1,954 |
When we analyze the latest crime report, the San Diego crime rate is 3.3% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of San Diego, there were 5932 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 431 per 100,000 individuals, 16.4% higher than the national average. Additionally, San Diego recorded 25044 property crimes, amounting to 1818 per 100,000 residents, 7% lower than the U.S. average.
When evaluating the San Diego crime rate for every 100,000 residents, it positions itself in the middle range among all cities that reported crime. Our examination of total offenses, spanning both violent and property crimes, indicates that the reported San Diego crime rates closely correspond to the national average reported by other regions.
The property crime rate per 100,000 people in San Diego is very similar to the national average. San Diego had a property crime rate of 1818, while the national average was 1954. Based on these numbers, you could expect an average amount of property crime in this area.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and San Diego has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, San Diego reported 6648 vehicle thefts, which equates to 482 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in San Diego is 1 in 208.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of San Diego residents. Out of the respondents (174 in total), 58% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in San Diego were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 42% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Is San Diego a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, San Diego has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 3%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 84.87 daily incidents, encompassing 16.25 violent crimes and 68.61 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of San Diego as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in San Diego crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in San Diego has decreased by 2.4% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 9.8% and property crime has decreased by 5%.
The San Diego region comprises an array of over 85 distinct neighborhoods, each characterized by its unique crime rate influenced by factors including location and socioeconomic conditions. Typically, neighborhoods situated near the city center or downtown core exhibit higher crime rates owing to their higher population density. Conversely, neighborhoods on the city's outskirts tend to boast lower population density, along with reduced unemployment and poverty rates, contributing to a safer environment. Among the secure neighborhoods in San Diego are exemplars such as Nestor, Egger Highlands and South Park, whereas East Village, Horton Plaza and Marina grapple with an above-average reported crime rate. This underscores the necessity for thorough evaluation across multiple neighborhoods, given their notable variations in crime rates.
In San Diego, the cost of living is 48.53% higher than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.
In San Diego, the median home price stands at $629,500, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.
In San Diego, the average rental rates are $1,770 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
| Item | San Diego | California | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 2,481 | 51,506 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.9 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | California /100K | National /100K |
| California | 79,891 | 232 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Granite Hills, CA | 4,020 | 111 | 518 | 629 |
| Santee, CA | 57,407 | 259 | 900 | 1,159 |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 27,334 | 397 | 1,057 | 1,454 |
| Spring Valley CDP (Lake County), CA | 1,154 | 270 | 1,265 | 1,535 |
| Chula Vista, CA | 268,779 | 351 | 1,277 | 1,628 |
| Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CA | 19,327 | 340 | 1,593 | 1,933 |
| Coronado, CA | 24,526 | 284 | 1,659 | 1,944 |
| San Diego, CA | 1,414,545 | 431 | 1,818 | 2,248 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Dallas, TX | 1,338,846 | 778 | 3,813 | 4,591 |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,529,133 | 883 | 5,069 | 5,951 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 1,581,531 | 1,041 | 4,321 | 5,363 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,658,422 | 825 | 2,902 | 3,727 |
| San Jose, CA | 1,029,409 | 527 | 2,651 | 3,178 |
| San Diego, CA | 1,414,545 | 431 | 1,818 | 2,248 |
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