Is Boston or San Diego Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than Boston (Safety Score 38/100 vs 25/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 2,650 for Boston — 21% lower. Boston has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where San Diego has a 39% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 2.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Boston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boston, MA
San Diego, CA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boston | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,649.7 | 2,082.4 | +567.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 628.0 | 412.4 | +215.7 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 2.5 | +1.1 |
| Rape Rate | 25.6 | 21.4 | +4.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 126.4 | 77.4 | +49.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 472.2 | 310.9 | +161.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,021.7 | 1,670.0 | +351.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 177.7 | 187.4 | -9.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,687.4 | 1,087.1 | +600.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 156.6 | 395.5 | -238.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston or San Diego safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 2,650 for Boston — a 21% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boston has a violent crime rate of 628.0 per 100K while San Diego has 412.4. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About Boston, MA
Boston, a city steeped in American Revolution history, sits on Massachusetts Bay. This densely populated urban center is home to a diverse population and numerous universities. With a safety score of 25/100 and a population coverage of 659,049, Boston has a total crime rate of 2,649.7 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.