San Diego, CA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About San Diego Crime

Is San Diego safe to live in?

San Diego earns a city-wide Safety Rating of B (Safe), and the numbers behind that grade are compelling. Of the 116 neighborhoods analyzed, 50.9% received an A grade and another 42.2% received a B grade, meaning 93% of all neighborhoods fall into the safe tier. Not a single neighborhood in the city received a D or F grade. Standout safe communities include Scripps Ranch (A+, pop. 22,255), Torrey Highlands (A+), and Miramar Ranch North (A+, pop. 14,140). The small share of neighborhoods with lower grades — such as Teralta West (C-) and Talmadge (C) — represent only about 7% of analyzed areas. For most residents and visitors, San Diego offers a demonstrably safe urban environment.

What is the crime rate in San Diego, and how does it compare by neighborhood?

San Diego's overall crime picture earns a C+ grade at the city level, while the neighborhood-level safety rating rises to a B — a meaningful distinction. At the neighborhood scale, the grade distribution tells the story clearly: 59 neighborhoods (50.9%) hold an A grade, 49 neighborhoods (42.2%) hold a B grade, and just 8 neighborhoods (6.9%) fall in the C range. The highest-crime areas identified in the data are Teralta West (C-), Talmadge (C), Torrey Preserve (C+), El Cerrito (C+), and Horton Plaza (C+). By contrast, communities like Rancho Encantada (A+) and Pacific Highlands Ranch (A+) sit at the very top of the safety spectrum. This wide spread underscores why using a neighborhood-level crime map matters far more than relying on a single citywide figure.

What are the safest neighborhoods in San Diego in 2026?

Ten neighborhoods earned the top A+ safety grade in our 2026 analysis. Here is how they break down by population and median household income:

• Rancho Encantada — A+, median income $224,884 (pop. 1,006)
• Pacific Highlands Ranch — A+, median income $191,858 (pop. 7,523)
• The Crosby Club — A+, median income $192,992 (pop. 977)
• Torrey Highlands — A+, median income $191,187 (pop. 7,903)
• Black Mountain Ranch — A+, median income $185,058 (pop. 8,440)
• Miramar Ranch North — A+, median income $170,153 (pop. 14,140)
• Scripps Ranch — A+, median income $167,154 (pop. 22,255)
• Torrey Pines — A+, median income $126,362 (pop. 8,976)
• Ocean Crest — A+, median income $101,592 (pop. 11,683)
• Otay Mesa — A+, median income $95,600 (pop. 3,654)

Notably, Scripps Ranch combines an A+ grade with a large population of over 22,000 residents, making it one of the most statistically significant safe communities in the city. Otay Mesa achieves an A+ grade with a more moderate median income of $95,600, demonstrating that top-tier safety is not limited to the city's wealthiest zip codes.

Which neighborhoods in San Diego have higher crime levels?

According to our 2026 data, five neighborhoods fall in the C tier, representing the higher-crime end of San Diego's spectrum. Teralta West carries the lowest grade at C-, followed by Talmadge at C. Three additional neighborhoods — Torrey Preserve, El Cerrito, and Horton Plaza — each hold a C+ grade. Importantly, even these lower-graded areas do not reach D or F territory, which means San Diego avoids the high-crime pockets that burden many comparably sized U.S. cities. Residents and prospective movers who are particularly safety-conscious may want to cross-reference these neighborhood grades against specific streets or blocks using the interactive crime map above.

Is San Diego a good place to live based on crime and cost of living?

San Diego presents a nuanced picture when you weigh safety against cost. On the safety side, 93% of its 116 analyzed neighborhoods are rated A or B, and the city-wide safety rating is B — a strong foundation. Economically, the city's median household income of $83,454 and median home value of $629,307 reflect a prosperous but expensive market, with a median rent of $1,770. The unemployment rate of 5.9% and a poverty rate of 11.8% point to pockets of economic stress that correlate with the modest crime concentrations seen in neighborhoods like Teralta West and Talmadge. For families prioritizing safety, communities such as Scripps Ranch, Ocean Crest, and Black Mountain Ranch offer A+ grades at population scales large enough to support full community amenities. Overall, San Diego's combination of a predominantly safe neighborhood landscape and a high quality of life makes it a strong choice — provided housing costs fit your budget.