Is San Diego Safe? Updated 2026 Crime Trends & Data
Is San Diego Safe? Updated 2026 Crime Trends & Data
San Diego remains one of the safest large cities in the U.S. in 2026, with crime rates consistently below the national average. Key highlights include:
- Overall Crime: A 1.5% drop in 2024, with violent crime at 4.3 incidents per 1,000 residents - among the lowest for major U.S. cities.
- Violent Crime: Homicides fell by 22.2% in 2024, while non-fatal shootings decreased by 32%.
- Property Crime: Motor vehicle theft dropped by 19.5%, but shoplifting and petty theft remain concerns in tourist-heavy areas.
- Neighborhood Safety: Areas like La Jolla, Coronado, and Torrey Hills report low crime, while East Village and Downtown see higher rates.
While overall trends show improvement, crime varies significantly by neighborhood. Tools like AdensZip offer ZIP code-specific insights for those considering relocation or planning visits.
San Diego 2025 Crime Statistics: Safety Trends and Neighborhood Comparison
Where Is It Actually Safe to Live in San Diego?
San Diego's Overall Safety in 2025
As of 2025, San Diego continues to rank as one of the safest large cities in the United States. With a crime index of 17, the city is statistically 17% safer than the average U.S. city. This achievement reflects a steady decline in crime rates over the past three years.
These ongoing improvements contribute to a safer environment for both residents and visitors, enhancing the quality of daily life. Whether you're thinking about moving to San Diego, planning a longer stay, or just assessing its overall livability, these numbers provide a solid understanding of the city's safety profile.
In the next sections, we'll break down specific crime categories to highlight areas where San Diego has made progress and where challenges remain. This broader trend offers valuable context for a deeper dive into the city's crime data.
Violent Crime Trends in 2025
San Diego saw another drop in violent crime in 2025. In 2024, the city had already recorded a 1.1% decrease in overall violent crime. Early data from the first half of 2025 shows an even more dramatic 12.5% reduction in violent crime across California's eight largest cities, including San Diego.
A big part of this progress can be credited to collaborative efforts between law enforcement and the community. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl highlighted this achievement:
"For the third year in a row, we've seen crime go down – an achievement that reflects the dedication of our officers, the strength of our community partnerships, and the strategic use of technology."
A closer look at the numbers shows where the most significant improvements occurred.
Homicide and Robbery Declines
Some of the most striking reductions were seen in homicide and robbery rates. The number of murders in San Diego dropped by 22.2% in 2024, falling from 59 cases in 2023 to 46 cases. Non-fatal shootings also saw a steep decline, with incidents dropping by 32% - only 57 cases were reported in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Robbery rates followed a similar downward trend, with a 6.3% decline across California as a whole in 2024.
Trends in Other Violent Crimes
While homicide and robbery showed significant decreases, other violent crimes presented a mixed picture. Reports of sexual assault dropped by 10.9% in 2024, building on a 16.2% reduction in 2023. Aggravated assaults across California also declined by 6.5% in 2024. Despite these improvements, the varied results suggest there’s still work to be done in addressing certain challenges.
Violent Crime Rates Per 1,000 Residents
| Crime Type | 2024 Rate | Year-Over-Year Change | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Violent Crime | 4.3 per 1,000 | -1.1% | Among the lowest of major U.S. cities |
| Homicides | 46 total cases | -22.2% | Second consecutive year of decline |
| Sexual Assault | Not specified | -10.9% | Continuing 2023's downward trend |
| Non-Fatal Shootings | 57 total cases | -32% | Significant reduction from 2023 |
Statewide data further underscores these successes. In 2024, California’s overall violent crime rate fell by 6%, with the homicide rate dropping by 10.4%, marking its second-lowest level since at least 1966. These numbers reflect the broader progress being made in San Diego and across the state in enhancing public safety.
Property Crime Trends in 2025
Looking at property crime data for 2025 gives us a clearer picture of safety trends in San Diego. Early numbers suggest a continuation of the 4.7% drop in property crimes recorded in 2024. These crimes - burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft - still made up more than half of all reported cases last year, but ongoing reduction efforts are showing results. Let’s break down the different types of property crimes to understand what’s happening across the city.
Property Crime Categories
Motor vehicle theft saw a sharp decline of 19.5% in 2024, a significant improvement. However, not all types of property crime are decreasing at the same rate. For example, La Jolla reported 530 property crime incidents between January 1 and August 6, 2025. Of these, over 200 were shoplifting cases. While this represents a 12% drop compared to previous years, retail theft remains a persistent issue in the area.
Economic Cost of Property Crime
The financial toll of property crimes goes far beyond the number of incidents. In 2022 alone, stolen property in the San Diego region was valued at more than $304 million - roughly $833,000 per day. Although the 4.7% decline in property crimes during 2024 brought some relief, the overall economic impact continues to weigh heavily on both households and businesses.
Property Crime by Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | 2025 Status | Key Trends |
|---|---|---|
| La Jolla | 530 incidents (Jan–Aug) | 12% decrease; over 200 shoplifting cases |
| Citywide Average | Declined 4.7% in 2024 | Motor vehicle theft down by 19.5% |
While the numbers show progress, certain neighborhoods still face challenges that require focused law enforcement strategies.
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Safest and Highest-Crime Neighborhoods in San Diego
Looking at neighborhood-specific data for San Diego in 2025, we can see clear patterns of safety and risk across the city. This information is critical for residents and visitors making decisions about where to live, work, or explore. The data highlights areas with minimal crime as well as neighborhoods that face higher risks.
Safest Neighborhoods
In 2025, several neighborhoods in San Diego stood out for their low crime rates. Northern La Jolla, Coronado, and Torrey Hills reported some of the lowest crime activity in the city. For example, La Jolla had a crime rate of 1,887 incidents per 100,000 residents, while Scripps Ranch recorded an impressively low rate of just 2.73 per 100,000 residents. Pacific Beach also made the list of safer neighborhoods, making it an attractive choice for families and individuals looking for a more secure environment.
These neighborhoods not only offer a sense of security but also contribute to their overall appeal for those prioritizing safety.
High-Crime Neighborhoods and Tourist Areas
On the other end of the spectrum, Downtown San Diego reported the highest property crime rates. Between September 2024 and August 2025, Downtown saw 1,156 incidents of larceny and theft, 159 burglaries, and 125 robberies - leading all major crime categories. City Heights also faced significant issues, with 149 burglaries and 63 robberies during the same timeframe. Other neighborhoods with elevated crime rates included Logan Heights, Lincoln Park, Mountain View, and Grant Hill.
While San Diego's tourist areas are generally considered safe, with over 95% of visitors reporting a sense of security, petty crimes like car break-ins, pickpocketing, and bicycle theft remain common concerns. Specific areas, such as certain blocks in Downtown’s East Village, experienced higher crime rates. Uptown also emerged as a hotspot for vehicle theft from January to May 2025, with hundreds of incidents reported monthly.
These patterns underline the importance of staying vigilant, especially in areas with higher crime activity, while also appreciating the safety offered by many neighborhoods across the city.
Factors Driving Crime Trends in 2025
San Diego's ongoing decline in crime for the third year in a row isn't a coincidence - it's the result of deliberate action. Law enforcement strategies, strong community partnerships, and the use of advanced technology have all played a role. Let’s break down how these efforts have made an impact.
Law Enforcement and Community Partnerships
The San Diego Police Department has embraced data-driven strategies to allocate resources effectively, targeting areas with higher crime rates. This approach allows officers to address potential issues before they escalate. On the tech front, tools like Smart Streetlight cameras and automated license plate readers have contributed to citywide reductions in crime. Additionally, the department has created specialized units to tackle specific issues, such as hate crimes, while working closely with community organizations to support victims and raise public awareness.
Mayor Todd Gloria emphasized the city's dedication to public safety, stating:
"My No. 1 job as mayor is to keep the public safe. Even in an era of austerity, ensuring that our officers have the resources they need to protect the public and fight crime is absolutely paramount".
This collaboration between city leaders, law enforcement, and residents has been crucial in maintaining the downward trend in crime. However, not all challenges have been resolved.
Persistent Challenges: Drug Violations and Kidnappings
While overall crime has decreased, some areas remain problematic. Drug violations, for instance, jumped nearly 20%, rising from 5,880 in 2023 to 7,043 in 2024. According to the San Diego Police Department, this increase often reflects stepped-up enforcement rather than a spike in drug-related activity. San Diego’s position as a key port in the international drug trade - especially for methamphetamine and fentanyl - continues to be a major issue. Between October 2021 and June 2022, 60% of all fentanyl seized at U.S. ports of entry was confiscated in San Diego and Imperial counties.
Kidnappings also saw an increase, climbing from 222 in 2023 to 260 in 2024. These numbers highlight the ongoing need for vigilance and targeted interventions to address these specific threats.
How AdensZip Provides Crime Data Insights
City-wide averages can be misleading, often masking stark differences within a city. For instance, while East Village experiences crime rates that are 454% higher than the national average, areas like northern La Jolla and Coronado are far safer. Official police statistics, while helpful, tend to offer a broad overview and may miss key details like unreported minor crimes, time-of-day variations, and neighborhood-specific trends. This is where ZIP code-level insights become incredibly valuable.
AdensZip's AI-Powered Crime Analysis Features
AdensZip takes crime analysis to a new level by offering detailed, ZIP code–specific intelligence. By combining data from multiple sources with AI-driven analysis, the platform uncovers localized crime patterns that broader averages can't reveal. Reports generated by AdensZip include customized livability scores, factoring in recent crime trends and highlighting which types of crimes are more common in specific areas.
Users on the Premium plan ($9.99/month) gain access to in-depth crime reports alongside other valuable insights, such as climate profiles, cost of living data, real estate trends, job market information, and lifestyle amenities. The platform’s AI-generated summaries pull all this data together, delivering personalized recommendations that align with your needs.
Benefits for Relocation Decisions
When it comes to choosing a new place to live, hyperlocal data is key. AdensZip allows you to zero in on specific ZIP codes, helping you find neighborhoods that align with your safety and lifestyle preferences. It also identifies property crime trends that might not appear in official reports, giving you a more complete understanding of potential areas and empowering you to make well-informed relocation decisions.
Conclusion: San Diego's Safety in 2025
San Diego continues to stand out as one of the safest large cities in the U.S. in 2025. Data shows that overall crime rates remain below the national average, with declines observed in several key categories. This ongoing trend highlights the importance of staying informed and making thoughtful decisions based on the latest insights.
Safety levels can vary by neighborhood. While some areas report very few incidents, others experience higher crime rates, particularly in property-related offenses. These are often concentrated in popular tourist spots, emphasizing the importance of targeted safety strategies.
If you're thinking about relocating to San Diego, exploring safety at the ZIP code level is essential. Tools like AdensZip's AI-powered relocation platform make this process easier by combining crime statistics with details on cost of living, real estate trends, and livability scores. This detailed analysis helps turn raw data into practical insights, empowering residents and newcomers to find neighborhoods that meet their safety and lifestyle preferences. With this localized approach, it's easier to make confident decisions about where to live in San Diego in 2025.
FAQs
How safe is San Diego compared to other major U.S. cities in 2025?
San Diego continues to rank as one of the safer large cities in the U.S. as of 2025, with crime rates showing a downward trend in several key categories. Violent crimes, including homicides, experienced a significant 22.2% drop in 2024, while overall crime saw a modest decline of 1.5% during the same period.
Although there has been a slight uptick in certain offenses, such as vehicle theft and specific property crimes, San Diego maintains one of the lowest violent crime rates among major metropolitan areas. On the other hand, drug-related offenses and other societal crimes have seen a small increase. Despite these challenges, the city remains a relatively safe destination to live, work, and explore, especially when compared to other large urban centers across the United States.
What are the safest neighborhoods in San Diego in 2025?
In 2025, La Jolla, Coronado, and Torrey Hills stand out as some of the safest neighborhoods in San Diego. These areas boast notably low crime rates and are celebrated for their strong sense of community. Whether you're raising a family, building a career, or just visiting, these neighborhoods offer peace of mind and a welcoming atmosphere.
On the flip side, areas like East Village report much higher crime rates - 454% above the city average. If you're considering spending time or moving there, it's wise to stay cautious and informed. Being aware of these safety patterns can help you make smarter choices about where to live or explore in San Diego.
How does AdensZip help you understand San Diego's safety and crime trends?
AdensZip delivers straightforward, current insights into San Diego's safety by analyzing the most recent crime data and trends. It provides detailed information on crime rates, types of offenses, and safety rankings for specific neighborhoods, helping you make informed choices about where to live, work, or visit in the city.
By blending trusted data with advanced technology and input from the community, AdensZip creates a clear and practical view of San Diego's safety landscape. This ensures you have the knowledge you need to feel prepared and confident.