Is Baltimore or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Baltimore (Safety Score 38/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 5,763 for Baltimore — 64% lower. Baltimore has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 93% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 2.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Baltimore — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Baltimore, MD
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Baltimore | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,763.2 | 2,082.4 | +3,680.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,606.2 | 412.4 | +1,193.8 |
| Murder Rate | 34.8 | 2.5 | +32.3 |
| Rape Rate | 57.5 | 21.4 | +36.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 573.2 | 77.4 | +495.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 940.7 | 310.9 | +629.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,157.0 | 1,670.0 | +2,487.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 523.8 | 187.4 | +336.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,581.9 | 1,087.1 | +1,494.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,051.3 | 395.5 | +655.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baltimore or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 5,763 for Baltimore — a 64% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Baltimore has a violent crime rate of 1,606.2 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Baltimore, MD
Baltimore, Maryland, a historic port city on the Patapsco River, is home to the Inner Harbor and a diverse population. Known for its distinct neighborhoods and the legacy of Edgar Allan Poe, it's the most populous city in Maryland. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 566,632, Baltimore has a total crime rate of 5,763.2 per 100,000 residents.
About San Diego, CA
San Diego, California, a major port city with a significant Hispanic population, sits on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border. Known for its mild climate and Balboa Park, it's also home to a large naval presence. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 1,389,024, San Diego has a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents.