San Diego, CA Crime Rate & Safety

San Diego, CA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 5% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 269 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 47 chance for property crime. San Diego has lower crime than 36% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

San Diego has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Approximately 93% of the city's 116 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Scripps Ranch is one of the safest areas, while Teralta West has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting San Diego is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in San Diego are Scripps Ranch, Torrey Highlands, Otay Mesa, Rancho Encantada, and Miramar Ranch North. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in San Diego include Teralta West, Talmadge, Torrey Preserve, El Cerrito, and Horton Plaza. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in San Diego is 372.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 2% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 269 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.1 per 100K (2% above average); aggravated assault at 256.6 per 100K (4% below average); robbery at 81.3 per 100K (10% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in San Diego is 2,110.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 15% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 47 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 222.0 per 100K (18% below average); larceny/theft at 1,514.2 per 100K (8% above average); vehicle theft at 373.9 per 100K (17% above average).

San Diego's overall crime rate is 5% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (17% above average), while burglary is 18% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, San Diego has lower crime than 36% of them.

Visitors to San Diego should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 15% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Scripps Ranch, Torrey Highlands, Otay Mesa.

California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. San Diego's crime rate is 5% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical California city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in San Diego, with an estimated rate of 1,514.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 8% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,110 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (372 per 100K) in San Diego, which is consistent with national trends.