San Diego, CA vs Santa Barbara, CA

San Diego is safer with a higher safety score by 5 points. San Diego, CA has a safety score of 67/100 while Santa Barbara, CA has 62/100, based on FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

San Diego, CA has a violent crime rate of 412.2 per 100,000 residents, while Santa Barbara, CA has 648.3 per 100,000. Lower rates indicate safer communities. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

San Diego, CA has a property crime rate of 1670.0 per 100,000, compared to 1809.7 per 100,000 in Santa Barbara, CA. Property crimes include burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.

Safety scores range from 0-100, combining violent crime rates, property crime rates, and population data from the FBI UCR. Higher scores mean safer cities. Grades: A (80+), B (65-79), C (50-64), D (40-49), F (below 40).

Based on crime data alone, San Diego is safer. However, safety is just one factor — also consider cost of living, job market, schools, and quality of life. Visit our city pages for more details on each.