News Summary
According to WalletHub, Chula Vista is ranked 23rd among the top 50 safest cities in the U.S., alongside San Diego and Oceanside, highlighting the communities’ commitment to safety. Chula Vista maintained its ranking, while San Diego improved to 39th and Oceanside fell to 49th. The report evaluated 182 cities based on safety metrics such as community safety, natural disaster risk, and financial safety. Warwick, Rhode Island, topped the list. California had 29 cities in the report, with Santa Rosa leading the state at 14th overall.
Chula Vista, California, along with San Diego and Oceanside, has been recognized among the top 50 safest cities in the United States according to a new report by WalletHub. The report, which assesses the safety of cities across the nation, has placed Chula Vista at 23rd, San Diego at 39th, and Oceanside at 49th. This ranking highlights the ongoing efforts of these communities to maintain safety for their residents.
Chula Vista has maintained its 23rd ranking from the previous year. San Diego’s position has seen an improvement, rising from 43rd last year to 39th this year. Conversely, Oceanside has experienced a decline, falling from 37th to 49th place in the latest evaluation.
The WalletHub report analyzed a total of 182 cities, which included the 150 most populated cities in the U.S. and at least two cities from each state. Researchers used three main categories to assess safety: home and community safety, natural disaster risk, and financial safety. In total, 41 safety metrics were evaluated, such as assaults per capita and unemployment rates. Each city was graded on a 100-point scale, where a score of 100 signifies the highest level of safety.
As part of the findings, Warwick, Rhode Island, emerged as the safest city in the country, followed by Overland Park, Kansas, and Burlington, Vermont. At the other end of the spectrum, New Orleans, Louisiana, was ranked as the least safe city on the list.
California had a significant representation in the report, with 29 cities included. Among them, Santa Rosa ranked as the highest California city overall, coming in at 14th place nationally, while Irvine followed closely at 17th. Both Chula Vista and Fremont were noted for their positions in the top 30 safest cities. In contrast, San Bernardino was the lowest-ranked city in California, landing at 175 out of 182, with Oakland at 169th and Los Angeles at 156th place.
The WalletHub team utilized data from a variety of government and private databases to compile this comprehensive safety ranking. The analysis emphasizes that safety extends beyond mere crime statistics, incorporating aspects such as financial security and risk mitigation against identity theft and fraud. This holistic approach to measuring safety offers a broader perspective for residents considering the safety of their cities.
As public safety continues to be a priority for communities across California and the nation, the results of this report may influence how local governments address safety concerns. By focusing on various dimensions of safety, cities like Chula Vista, San Diego, and Oceanside can work towards maintaining or improving their rankings in future evaluations.
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Additional Resources
- Desert Sun: San Bernardino Ranked Least Safe City
- King 5: Safest Big Cities in the US 2025
- The Hill: Safest Major Cities in the US
- Smart Asset: America’s Safest Cities 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Safety
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
