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Baltimore vs San Diego Crime Comparison

Side-by-side crime rates, safety scores, and trends based on FBI data.

Full report: Baltimore crime rate · San Diego crime rate

Moving from Baltimore, MD to San Diego, CA?

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Is Baltimore or San Diego Safer?

According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 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.

Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Baltimore, MD?

Baltimore — 5-Year Trend

Decreasing Violent Flat Property Decreasing Total

San Diego — 5-Year Trend

Increasing Violent Decreasing Property Decreasing Total

Baltimore, MD

Baltimore, MD
Safety Score 2/100
Coverage 566,632
Total Crime Rate 5,763.2
Category Wins 0/7

San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA
Safety Score 38/100
Coverage 1,389,024
Total Crime Rate 2,082.4
Category Wins 7/7

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.

Moving from Baltimore, MD to San Diego, CA?

An out-of-state move adds new driver's license, plates, voter registration and deadlines that differ by state. The Moving Checklist Planner dates every task from your move-in day — seven tabs for Google Sheets or Excel, $12 once.

Get the planner →

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.

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