Is Boise or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Boise is safer than San Diego (Safety Score 60/100 vs 38/100), with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100,000 versus 2,082 for San Diego — 33% lower. Boise has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Boise has a 80% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 5.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Boise — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boise, ID
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boise | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,403.8 | 2,082.4 | -678.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 293.8 | 412.4 | -118.6 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 2.5 | -1.2 |
| Rape Rate | 71.0 | 21.4 | +49.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.7 | 77.4 | -61.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 205.8 | 310.9 | -105.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,110.0 | 1,670.0 | -560.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 107.1 | 187.4 | -80.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 872.8 | 1,087.1 | -214.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 130.1 | 395.5 | -265.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boise or San Diego safer?
Boise is safer with a total crime rate of 1,404 per 100K vs 2,082 for San Diego — a 33% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boise has a violent crime rate of 293.8 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. Boise has lower violent crime.
About Boise, ID
Boise, Idaho, known for the "Treefort Music Fest," sits along the Boise River at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. As the state capital, it's the largest city in Idaho, with a population exceeding 230,000. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 235,223, Boise has a total crime rate of 1,403.8 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.