| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | San Diego/100k people | California/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 28,923 | n/a (estimate) | 2,082 | 2,564 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 35 | n/a | 2.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 297 | n/a | 21.4 | 36.6 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 1,075 | n/a | 77.4 | 119.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 4,319 | n/a | 310.9 | 325.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 5,726 | n/a (estimate) | 412 | 486 | 359 |
| Burglary | 2,603 | n/a | 187.4 | 305.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 15,100 | n/a | 1,087.1 | 1,345.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 5,494 | n/a | 395.5 | 427.5 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 23,197 | n/a (estimate) | 1,670 | 2,078 | 1,760 |
The San Diego crime rates are 1.7% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 5726 violent crimes in San Diego (412 per 100,000 people), which is 14.8% higher than the national average and there were a total of 23197 property crimes (1670 per 100,000 residents) which is 5.1% lower than average.
When assessing the total crime rate in San Diego per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes within San Diego, underscores the close alignment of reported crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.
The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in San Diego is very close to the national average of all cities that reported crime. San Diego reported 412 violent crimes, while the average of all cities was 359.
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 1670, while the national average was 1760. Based on these numbers, you could expect an average amount of property crime in this area.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of San Diego residents. Out of the respondents (184 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 2%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 79.24 daily incidents, encompassing 15.69 violent crimes and 63.55 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.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in San Diego. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in San Diego has decreased by 8.9%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 6%, while property crime has decreased by 12%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in San Diego.
The San Diego area comprises a diverse array of over 85 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: Nestor, Miramar and Egger Highlands which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as East Village, Core and Marina exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different San Diego neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower San Diego crime rates. In San Diego, the poverty rate stands at 11.8%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. San Diego, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 4%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
In San Diego, 85.7% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| 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 | 4,167 | 132 | 565 | 697 |
| Santee, CA | 59,609 | 254 | 571 | 826 |
| Bonita, CA | 12,952 | 185 | 792 | 977 |
| Imperial Beach, CA | 27,956 | 539 | 638 | 1,176 |
| Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, CA | 19,721 | 233 | 998 | 1,232 |
| Rancho San Diego, CA | 22,136 | 234 | 1,002 | 1,237 |
| Spring Valley CDP (Lake County), CA | 1,189 | 262 | 1,122 | 1,385 |
| San Diego, CA | 1,466,871 | 412 | 1,670 | 2,082 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Dallas, TX | 1,391,819 | 658 | 3,352 | 4,010 |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,573,237 | 594 | 4,624 | 5,218 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 1,632,157 | 909 | 4,548 | 5,457 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,698,457 | 800 | 2,325 | 3,125 |
| San Jose, CA | 1,062,558 | 607 | 2,588 | 3,195 |
| San Diego, CA | 1,466,871 | 412 | 1,670 | 2,082 |
Here are the best places to live in California
Check out the 10 safest cities in California
Most Dangerous States In The US
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in California