The 10 Most Dangerous And Worst Neighborhoods In San Diego, CA


The most dangerous and worst San Diego neighborhoods are San Ysidro and Mount Hope for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

Worst Neighborhoods In San Diego
Source: Wikipedia User Visitor7 | CC BY-SA 3.0

San Diego’s neighborhoods conjure up too many stereotypes to count. You’ve got hipster areas, preppy places, neighborhoods where college kids thrive, and of course, ghettos.

It seems as if there’s a neighborhood for everyone in San Diego.

And while the city consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in California thanks in part to tons of entertainment and jobs, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine in San Diego. Some neighborhoods aren’t as safe as others.

So the question arises, which San Diego neighborhoods are the most dangerous and which are the safest?

Today, we’ll use Saturday Night Science to determine which San Diego hoods need a little tender loving care – the sore thumbs of the San Diego area if you will. Realistically, you can’t expect all the neighborhoods to be amazing, although Wooded Area ranks way above the rest.

We examined 83 of San Diego’s neighborhoods to find out the most dangerous places to live. These places don’t quite measure up to San Diego’s reputation.


Table Of Contents: Top 10 | Methodology | Summary | Table


The Most Dangerous Neighborhoods In San Diego For 2024

  1. San Ysidro
  2. Mount Hope
  3. Midtown District
  4. Mission Valley
  5. Memorial
  6. Palm City
  7. Emerald Hills
  8. City Heights East
  9. Mission Bay
  10. Kearny Mesa

So what’s the worst neighborhood to live in San Diego for 2024? According to the most recent census data, San Ysidro looks to be the worst neighborhood in San Diego.

Read on to see how we determined the places around San Diego that need a pick-me-up. And remember, don’t blame the messenger.

For more California reading, check out:

The 10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods In San Diego For 2024

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 27,974
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 568
Property Crime Per 100k: 2,607
Median Home Value: $378,173 (23rd worst)
Median Income: $65,404 (28th worst)
More on San Ysidro:  Data

If you like to watch traffic on the Interstate, San Ysidro might represent your ideal spot. Most of the neighborhood exists as a triangle formed by I-805, I-5, and Highway 905. However, if asphalt and carbon monoxide fumes don’t rev you up, you might want to look somewhere else.

The main problem here stems from the economy. The unemployment rate stands at 6.6%. Meanwhile, even those locals who score jobs struggle to earn enough to make ends meet. Just look at the median home price, which equals$378,173…a tough mortgage when the median income only hits $65,404.

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 8,997
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 490
Property Crime Per 100k: 1,793
Median Home Value: $288,200 (8th worst)
Median Income: $37,060 (6th worst)
More on Mount Hope:  Data

Mount Hope gets its name from a cemetery. If you’re superstitious, that’s probably a bad sign. The Mount Hope Cemetery itself dates back to the 19th century, with the graves of a few noteworthy people, such as famed crime novelist Raymond Chandler.

What about the living residents of the area? Mount Hope doesn’t provide such a peaceful resting place. In fact, many of the locals probably stay up all night worried about their finances. The unemployment rate stands at 8.0%, while the median income hovers at $37,060.

All this comes with rather expensive standard of living, with a median home value of $288,200.

Overall SnackAbility

8.5
/10

Population: 10,962
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,333
Property Crime Per 100k: 9,152
Median Home Value: $274,430 (6th worst)
Median Income: $53,556 (13th worst)
More on Midtown District:  Data

No prizes for guessing where the Midtown District is located. That’s right, it’s in midtown. The neighborhood sits just north of downtown along I-5, bordering the airport.

Unlike many of the areas on this list, the economy in Midtown is actually very healthy. The unemployment rate hovers at a skimpy 3.2% and the median income comes in at $53,556.

So how did Midtown end up as the number 2 worst spot in San Diego for 2024? Well, there’s a catch. Real estate prices. Close access to prime parts of the city have pumped up the housing market, pushing the median home value to $274,430.

Overall SnackAbility

8.5
/10

Population: 7,490
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,068
Property Crime Per 100k: 8,961
Median Home Value: $279,720 (7th worst)
Median Income: $74,473 (38th worst)
More on Mission Valley:  Data

Ready to go shopping? Mission Valley is the place for you. The area features a series of malls, including Westfield Mission Valley and Fashion Valley. It’s the perfect place to spend some money.

Turns out, Mission Valley is also great place to earn some money. The area’s retail bonanza gives the area an economic boost. The unemployment rate sits at 5.5%. Meanwhile, the median income hovers at almost $75,000.

Unfortunately, the neighborhood also suffers from that San Diego curse: high prices. That makes affordability a stumbling block for the locals. Even the area’s high incomes pale in comparison to housing prices. The median home value comes in at $279,720.

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 14,637
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,077
Property Crime Per 100k: 3,266
Median Home Value: $299,864 (9th worst)
Median Income: $30,176 (worst)
More on Memorial:  Data

Tucked into the intersection of the I-5 and the I-15, Memorial sits southeast of downtown San Diego, and only a few blocks away from the bay. This proximity to the heart of the city doesn’t do much to bolster the local economy, however.

Instead, “Memorial” might refer to a funeral eulogy spoken for the lost careers of the neighborhood’s residents. The unemployment rate stands just below 10%. Meanwhile, the median income comes in at a paltry $30,176. At the same time, median home prices approach $300,000, making it impossible for many of the locals to become homeowners.

It’s not all bad news, though. The area’s location gives it access to plenty of amenities. The neighborhood itself has its own pool and skatepark.

Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 6,059
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 555
Property Crime Per 100k: 2,546
Median Home Value: $193,100 (3rd worst)
Median Income: $69,026 (33rd worst)
More on Palm City:  Data

A name like “Palm City” promises a tropical paradise. And, in terms of pleasant green space, this neighborhood delivers. It’s dominated by a large park, highlighted by Fenton Pond. Meanwhile, a quick ride down I-5 will take you to San Diego Bay and great ocean views.

Sounds ideal. Unfortunately, day-to-day life in Palm City comes with significant challenges, turning this into the number 6 worst place to live in San Diego in 2024. The unemployment rate runs an elevated 6.3%. Meanwhile, the $193,100 median home value makes it difficult for many locals to afford, thanks to a median income of just $69,026.

Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 5,006
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 697
Property Crime Per 100k: 1,786
Median Home Value: $412,950 (28th worst)
Median Income: $59,826 (2worst)
More on Emerald Hills:  Data

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 38,743
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 691
Property Crime Per 100k: 2,003
Median Home Value: $156,600 (2nd worst)
Median Income: $32,300 (3rd worst)
More on City Heights East:  Data

Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 62,292
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 189
Property Crime Per 100k: 1,686
Median Home Value: $383,500 (25th worst)
Median Income: $65,071 (27th worst)
More on Mission Bay:  Data

Overall SnackAbility

8
/10

Population: 5,042
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,493
Property Crime Per 100k: 11,765
Median Home Value: $501,450 (43rd worst)
Median Income: $103,189 (64th worst)
More on Kearny Mesa:  Data

Kearny Mesa is located about 15 minutes north of downtown, sandwiched between the I-805 and the I-15. Named for a fort that used to dominate the region, the area now features its own executive airport and a diverse cultural landscape. This is highlighted by the Convoy District, a haven for Asian restaurants and shops.

Nice place to grab a delicious meal. Not a great place to live.

A lack of money isn’t the problem, with a median income of $103,189. Instead, cost of living once again shows up to spoil the party. Want to buy a house in Kearny Mesa? Well, you’ll likely need to pay more than $300,000.

Methodology: How we determined the most dangerous San Diego neighborhoods in 2024

To figure out how bad a place is to live in, we only needed to know what kinds of things people like and then decide what places have the least amount of those things. We plugged the following criteria into Saturday Night Science to get the worst neighborhoods in San Diego:

  • High crime (Estimated)
  • High unemployment (Less jobs)
  • Low median income (Less pay)
  • Low population density (No things to do)
  • Low home values (No one’s willing to pay to live here)

Then, we ranked each neighborhood in San Diego, California for each of these criteria from worst to best.

Next, we averaged the individual rankings for each criterion into a “Worst Score.”

The neighborhood with the lowest “Worst Score” ranks as the most dangerous neighborhood of San Diego.

The article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. We updated this article for 2024. This report is our time ranking the worst neighborhoods to live in San Diego.

Skip to the end to see the list of all 83 neighborhoods ranked from worst to best.

Summary: The Worst Neighborhoods Around San Diego

Well, there you have it — the worst of the neighborhoods in San Diego with San Ysidro landing at the bottom of the pack.

The worst neighborhoods in San Diego are San Ysidro, Mount Hope, Midtown District, Mission Valley, Memorial, Palm City, Emerald Hills, City Heights East, Mission Bay, and Kearny Mesa.

As mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in San Diego aren’t all bad. Wooded Area takes the cake as the best place to live in San Diego.

The best neighborhoods in San Diego are Wooded Area, Del Mar Heights, Carmel Valley, Bay Ho, and Scripps Ranch.

We ranked the neighborhoods from worst to best in the chart below.

For more California reading, check out:

Most Dangerous Neighborhoods To Live In San Diego For 2024?

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 San Ysidro 27,974 $378,173 $65,404
2 Mount Hope 8,997 $288,200 $37,060
3 Midtown District 10,962 $274,430 $53,556
4 Mission Valley 7,490 $279,720 $74,473
5 Memorial 14,637 $299,864 $30,176
6 Palm City 6,059 $193,100 $69,026
7 Emerald Hills 5,006 $412,950 $59,826
8 City Heights East 38,743 $156,600 $32,300
9 Mission Bay 62,292 $383,500 $65,071
10 Kearny Mesa 5,042 $501,450 $103,189
11 City Heights West 31,588 $256,556 $36,560
12 Southcrest 6,539 $353,200 $48,597
13 Chollas View 5,172 $313,075 $48,414
14 Bario Logan 10,422 $194,600 $30,625
15 Mountain View 16,306 $374,325 $43,571
16 Rolando 8,058 $573,843 $46,339
17 El Cerritos 6,157 $313,775 $54,388
18 Torrey Pines 951 $563,333 $106,868
19 Sky Line 10,572 $301,957 $58,462
20 Old Town 1,127 $913,900 $99,922
21 Webster 10,383 $309,071 $57,071
22 Moreno Mission 9,691 $362,560 $58,425
23 Lincoln Park 10,187 $311,660 $39,992
24 College Area 21,712 $432,218 $58,577
25 Grant Hill 4,767 $491,800 $47,064
26 Core 3,770 $96,950 $33,240
27 East Village 10,954 $498,650 $62,824
28 Cortez Hill 2,891 $542,725 $71,568
29 Oak Park 16,342 $382,290 $64,099
30 Columbia 1,641 $440,800 $82,797
31 North Hills 43,221 $440,667 $63,468
32 Encanto 16,614 $448,042 $76,754
33 Valencia Park 11,708 $337,850 $57,624
34 Gateway 2,657 $345,800 $66,000
35 Darnall 9,347 $312,383 $61,064
36 Bird Land 4,703 $516,125 $77,436
37 West University Heights 9,608 $469,970 $66,574
38 Nestor 16,535 $321,086 $56,666
39 Midtown 4,144 $776,017 $78,819
40 Balboa Park 1,538 $586,175 $86,502
41 Serra Mesa 26,135 $567,185 $84,829
42 Alta Vista 2,337 $453,600 $88,864
43 Bay Terrace 22,838 $310,253 $73,018
44 Egger Highlands 9,453 $409,200 $62,691
45 Grantville 9,910 $431,500 $75,187
46 Clairemont Mesa 38,765 $447,570 $70,301
47 Linda Vista 26,535 $560,400 $68,425
48 Little Italy 2,942 $626,017 $90,835
49 Normal Heights 9,939 $489,589 $69,726
50 Kensington 5,994 $703,300 $115,804
51 Marina 5,147 $748,733 $101,719
52 Allied Gardens 10,485 $560,800 $98,904
53 Del Cerro 7,715 $723,380 $145,915
54 La Jolla Village 6,108 $385,857 $68,178
55 Roseville 6,705 $737,410 $97,826
56 Rancho Bernadino 44,185 $553,456 $95,093
57 Talmadge 9,587 $613,912 $78,229
58 Paradise Hills 17,552 $462,811 $82,009
59 University City 50,294 $651,046 $100,582
60 Park West 9,147 $723,522 $83,911
61 Loma Portal 6,151 $851,783 $102,321
62 Jomacha-Lomita 10,967 $432,617 $75,645
63 Gaslamp Quarter 1,003 $438,200 $136,541
64 Lake Murray 18,708 $564,464 $100,688
65 Sabre Springs 10,313 $714,900 $129,605
66 Sorrento Valley 5,578 $803,500 $131,900
67 Tierrasanta 30,151 $645,145 $108,245
68 La Jolla 36,662 $1,298,387 $128,665
69 North Clairemont 15,494 $603,617 $98,740
70 South Park 5,472 $722,771 $100,660
71 Bay Park 17,860 $707,443 $97,131
72 Pacific Beach 30,872 $920,036 $105,991
73 Mira Mesa 75,182 $544,098 $107,972
74 Carmel Mountain 11,748 $708,543 $115,289
75 San Carlos 13,423 $600,367 $117,481
76 North City 8,226 $1,190,529 $181,904
77 Ocean Beach 11,791 $938,036 $88,712
78 Rancho Penasquitos 52,735 $770,052 $141,794
79 Scripps Ranch 22,537 $791,708 $134,883
80 Bay Ho 14,621 $678,042 $108,600
81 Carmel Valley 48,364 $1,037,794 $172,093
82 Del Mar Heights 6,613 $1,328,975 $166,796
83 Wooded Area 4,375 $1,116,100 $146,555
About Nick Johnson

Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. He has been featured in over 500 publications as an expert in real estate and as an authority on real estate trends.

Nick's the creator of the HomeSnacks YouTube channel that now has over 260,000 subscribers and is an excellent source to learn about different parts of the country.