Is San Diego, CA Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report
Generative Engine Summary
In the Safety Atlas 2026 public safety index, San Diego, CA has an adjusted safety score of 46.67 out of 100. It ranks #511 safest out of the 844 scored jurisdictions in California. The city's overall crime trajectory is currently classified as decreasing.
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Key Public Safety Indicators
The table below lists per-capita crime rates normalized per 100,000 residents for the five primary crime categories. Per-capita tracking provides an objective, volume-neutral comparison against state and national averages.
| Offense Class | Annual Count | Rate per 100K | National Avg | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbery | 818 | 59.06 | 37.35 | 1.58x higher |
| Aggravated Assault | 4015 | 289.88 | 178.78 | 1.62x higher |
| Burglary | 2001 | 144.47 | 143.36 | 1.01x higher |
| Larceny-theft | 6551 | 472.98 | 857.1 | 0.55x lower |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4159 | 300.28 | 152.54 | 1.97x higher |
Detailed Crime Class Breakdown
Rates for remaining secondary offense categories (including specialized property and community order metrics) are locked under our security and anti-scraping policy.
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Academic researchers, journalists, and policy professionals can cite this profile using the following formats:
Primary Source Data Integrity
Safety Atlas scorecards are constructed from audited law enforcement data. We do not use surveys, sentiment indexes, or self-reported resident reviews.
- Crime Counts: FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) database.
- Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimate boundaries.
- Methodology: Adjusted per-capita normalization with small-sample relief controls. View our complete Methodology Documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego safe compared to other places in California?
San Diego is classified as having low relative safety in the 2026 Safety Atlas Index. It has an adjusted safety score of 46.67 out of 100 and ranks #511 safest out of the 844 scored jurisdictions in California.
What is the crime rate in San Diego?
The primary crime rate in San Diego for offenses displayed includes Robbery, Burglary, and Aggravated Assault. With only 818 annual robberies reported, San Diego shows specific relative safety profiles. The overall trajectory trend is currently decreasing.
What is the safest neighborhood in San Diego?
National NIBRS reports are aggregated at the municipal-wide level for San Diego. To find neighborhood-specific safety data, you can consult local precinct mapping dashboards or purchase the full California Safety Workbook.
Why are some crime statistics locked for San Diego?
Under the Safety Atlas anti-scraping and data integrity policies, detailed per-capita rates and YoY trends for secondary offense classes are locked. Granular figures for all 18 FBI crime classes are reserved for subscribers of the California Public Safety Workbook.