San Diego, CA — Crime Rate & Safety
Population 1.4M · 2023 FBI UCR Data
San Diego, CA has a violent crime rate of 736.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 102% above the national average of 363.8. The property crime rate is 2,402 per 100,000, 31% above the national average. Over the past 5 years, crime in San Diego has decreased by 6.0%.San Diego receives a Safety Context Score of C (50/100) based on 2023 FBI UCR data.
Reading this data in context: San Diego's violent crime rate of 736.3 per 100,000 residents is 102% above the national average. Over the past 5 years, the overall crime rate has decreased (-6.0%). Crime data reflects reported incidents and does not capture the full picture of neighborhood safety. All crime statistics are compiled from the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which aggregates data reported by local law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Crime Rate Breakdown (per 100K residents)
All rates per 100,000 residents. National average shown for comparison.
5-Year Crime Rate Trend
Per-capita rates per 100,000 residents
Frequently Asked Questions
San Diego has a Safety Context Score of C (50/100). The violent crime rate is 736.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 363.8. Over the past 5 years, overall crime has decreased (-6.0%).
San Diego's violent crime rate is 736.3 per 100,000 residents and property crime rate is 2,402 per 100,000. These are per-capita rates based on FBI UCR data, which provide a more accurate comparison than raw crime counts.
San Diego's 5-year crime trend shows a -6.0% change. Crime rates have been decreasing, which is a positive sign. Always look at long-term trends rather than single-year changes.
San Diego's violent crime rate of 736.3 per 100K is above the national average of 363.8. The property crime rate of 2,402 per 100K is above the national average of 1,832.
Based on 2023 FBI data, San Diego earns a Safety Context Score of C (50/100). San Diego's crime rates are near the national average. The 5-year trend is improving, which is an important factor for anyone considering relocation. Crime statistics represent city-wide averages and vary significantly by neighborhood.
The most common crime type in San Diego is larceny-theft at 1,898 per 100,000 residents. Overall, property crime (2,402/100K) is significantly more common than violent crime (736.3/100K), which is typical for most US cities. Motor vehicle theft is 288.3/100K below the national average of 318.3.
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All crime rates are per 100,000 residents. Safety Context Scores are calculated using per-capita violent crime (40%), per-capita property crime (30%), and 5-year trend direction (30%), all compared to national averages.